December Pride 2010 by Whitespace Publishers

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EXCLUSIVE HOMES

LincolnshirePride M A G A Z I N E

HIGH SOCIETY EVENTS

IF YOU’RE PROUD OF LINCOLNSHIRE, READ LINCOLNSHIRE PRIDE

DECEMBER ISSUE 101

T H E

H I G H

S O C I E T Y

ENGLISH GARDENS LINCOLNSHIRE NEWS A LA CARTE DINING LUXURY MOTORING FASHION & BEAUTY

LincolnshirePride - The High Society Magazine - December 2010 - Issue 101

Dheeck T

Halls

ALL YOU NEED TO ENJOY SPENDING CHRISTMAS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

£3.50

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06 Homes and Gardens.

Welcome...

45 Crafts at Christmas - Create a Superb Family Christmas.

79 Lincolnshire Weddings One Couple’s Happy Ever After.

...to winter, and to the Christmas season. This month, we’ve all you need to create a wonderful family Christmas with local crafts and inspiration you can use to create beautiful decorations, table centrepieces, wreaths and more. Also this month, we seek the advice of TV’s Rachel Green, the Lincolnshire chef who has superb ideas for making Christmas lunch really enjoyable and stress-free. Elsewhere we enjoy attending the best High Society events in the county and meet two of Lincolnshire’s most wonderful stars — Holby City’s Amanda Mealing, bowing out of the series after six years as Connie Beauchamp, and diva Lesley Garrett, following an exclusive performance to raise funds for Boston’s St Botolph’s church. Also, we enjoy a meal at Shakesby’s in Horncastle and host another Lincolnshire Pride fashion shoot featuring beautiful partywear for the forthcoming season. Finally, many thanks for all of the warm wishes and congratulations we received following our 100th edition! Our best wishes for a wonderful Christmas! ROB DAVIS EXECUTIVE EDITOR

111 Lincolnshire Motors Volvo’s Practical Family Cars.

06 10 18 24 38 45 56 68 70

LINCOLNSHIRE PROPERTY AROUND LINCOLNSHIRE HOLBY’S AMANDA MEALING WELCOME HOME KITCHEN GARDEN CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS SEASONAL FASHION SHOES, BAGS, ACCESSORIES CHRISTMAS COSMETICS

56 Lincolnshire Fashion - the Best Partywear from Retailers.

116 High Society - 12 Pages of the Best Lincolnshire Events.

90 Food & Drink - Hearty Winter Pies at Shakesby’s in Horncastle.

74 79 86 90 96 107 111 116 130

JEWELLERY THE WEDDING ALBUM WEDDING SHOWCASE EATING OUT CHRISTMAS RECIPES QUALITY WINE MOTORS HIGH SOCIETY LESLEY GARRETT

WRITE TO US AT Lincolnshire Pride Magazine, Whitespace Publishers Ltd, Elm Grange Studios, East Heckington, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3QF. Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978 Web: www.lincolnshirepride.co.uk By placing an advertisement in Lincolnshire Pride you are agreeing to our full terms and conditions, which can be found on our website.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROB DAVIS GARDENING LORRAINE BELLIS FARMING BARRY POSTON WINE BEN STRAW SALES MANAGER CATHY TAYLOR SALES EXECUTIVE ZOIE WILKINSON ACCOUNTS MANAGER SUE BANNISTER GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANDY BRAY CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER CHARLOTTE AIKEN WEBSITE EDITOR IAN BAGLEY PUBLISHER JULIAN WILKINSON Pass on Lincolnshire Pride for others to enjoy or take it along to your local doctors’ or dentists’ reception area. After everyone has enjoyed the magazine, please ensure it is recycled!

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savills.co.uk

4 Whichcote Fields, Osbournby This exclusive development of seven individual houses constructed in 2005, enjoys a rural location lying on the outskirts of the village within a conservation area and open aspects to the rear. No.4 is an attractive stone fronted, detached residence offering beautifully presented accommodation with great attention to detail. The property also benefits from having a multiî&#x20AC;room entertainment system throughout, under floor heating to the kitchen and Porcelanosa tiling to the conservatory, dining/family room and kitchen. The current owners have added a tasteful extension, enhancing the property further.

Contact: Lincoln Office Olympic House, Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3SE Telephone: 01522 508900 Email: lincoln@savills.com

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STAMFORD OFFICE 2 St Marys Street, Stamford. Lincolnshire, PE9 2DE Tel: 01780 750200 Fax: 01780 750201

Hibbins House, Ketton Elegant, newly renovated period property set in the heart of a popular Rutland village. • Entrance Hall • Drawing Room • Dining Room • Kitchen • Utility Room • Cloakroom • Study • Master Bedroom with Jack & Jill En-Suite Bathroom • Guest Bedroom with En-Suite Shower Room • 2 Further Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • Loft • Courtyard Garden • Off-Street Parking for 2 Cars

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The Heart of the Home A perfect kitchen is more than just cabinets, worktops and appliances. It’s a room that reflects your personality and lifestyle - a living room, in fact. We at The Lincolnshire Kitchen Company pride ourselves on quality and value for money. We offer over 20 years of kitchen experience to our customers. Why not call into our Lincoln or Kirton showrooms.

For the complete service: Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms • Quality & value for money • Free quotation and design service • All major brands of appliances available

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF QUALITY & VALUE

MARKET PLACE KIRTON IN LINDSEY TEL: 01652 640780 8

84 HIGH STREET LINCOLN TEL: 01522 533051

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Advertising Feature

CHATTERTONS LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY So, you think you've got it all covered? Advice from Chattertons Solicitors about making a Lasting Power of Attorney. Whilst most people appreciate that a Will is required to deal with matters after death, there is a 'grey area' as to how your affairs are dealt with in the event of the loss of mental capacity. Usually, mental incapacity occurs in old age, but can suddenly strike at any time, through illness or accident. Are you prepared for such an eventuality? James Bolton, a specialist in private client law based at Chatterton's Lincoln office says that "if no provision has been made in case of mental incapacity, significant problems can be encountered, as decisions on behalf of the incapacitated person must be referred to the Court of Protection, which can be a slow and expensive process. Some people mistakenly believe that, if they are married, their husband or wife automatically has authority to act for them, which is actually not the case." James advises that, by making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) before the loss of mental capacity, this situation can easily and inexpensively be avoided. There are two types of LPA: one for property & affairs, and one for health & welfare.

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Offices located in Lincolnshire and Newark. Visit www.chattertons.com

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

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AroundLincolnshire News

Sports

Arts

Theatre

Barton & Barrow News n WaterAid for Needy Thanks to Ropery Barton-Upon-Humber’s avid readers have helped the Ropery Coffee Shop to provide WaterAid to developing countries thanks to a charity book swap at the Ropery Coffee Shop recently.

Shopping Your Guide to What’s Happening across Lincolnshire this Month

Panto time in Grimsby?!? Oh no it isn’t... Oh yes it is, just ask H from Steps!

Brigg, Caistor, Rasen News n Jenny’s 45 Years of Selling Poppies Rewarded Brigg’s Jenny Gray has been rewarded for her efforts selling poppies in the town for over 45 years. Receiving a long service award as part of a service at St John’s Church recently, Jenny was delighted: “Younger people should get involved. It is important we keep going and keep supporting the Legion because it does a lot of good work."

£1 donations will fund the sanitation block at a school in Africa, with the fundraising initiative running until Christmas. n Shopping & Markets Barton Upon Humber farmers’ market, Thursday.

Boston News n Success of Boston Wedding Fair at Ball House Scores of brides popped into The Ball House on Wainfleet Road recently to visit the pub’s first wedding fair. Around 20 exhibitors and a fashion show provided inspiration for brides-to-be. The show was organised by Tracey Topliss, Becky Reeson and Rachel Wilding who, together, have formed Simply Perfect, Boston’s wedding planning service. See www.simplyperfect boston.co.uk for details. n 100 Acre Milestone for Woodland Charity The Boston Woods Trust, founded in 2001, now has over 100 acres of land in and around the town, for the public to enjoy, following the recent purchase of land on Five House Lane, Wyberton.

n East Heckington Christmas Extravaganza: 26th-27th November Taking place as Pride goes to press, the East Heckington shopping extravaganza showcases a trio of excellent independent businesses between Boston and Sleaford. Choose a new Christmas outfit from Lindsey James, an established ladies wear retailer, then enjoy lunch with friends at Abbey Parks Farm whilst previewing their exciting new seasonal produce and gifts. Finally, shop at Elm Grange Interiors for a selection of luxurious gifts sourced exclusively from round the world. Elm Grange Interiors will also feature J&J Pearls, Daisy May Cakes and a range of kitchenware from Jamie at Home.

Bourne n Plans for a Brand New Bourne Will Go Ahead Bourne’s anticipated town centre regeneration will proceed despite the recession — but will be scaled down to just £5m. The plans will proceed in early 2011, and will include developing shops, restaurants and flats in Bourne’s town centre. n Bourne Corn Exchange Tel: 01778 423579 www.bournecornexchange.co.uk 3rd December: Bohemians The most dynamic Queen tribute band touring today, performing hits from the 1970s and 1980s. n Shopping and Markets Bourne Market Thurs and Sat.

n 7th December: History of Local Fire Stations Lecture on the history of local fire stations in North Lincolnshire from Brigg Amateur Social Historians. For more information see www.briggbash.org.uk. n Shopping & Markets Brigg market Thursday and Saturday, farmers’ market fourth Saturday in month. Caistor market on Saturday. Market Rasen markets Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Grantham n An Egg-stremly Challenging Pickle for Barrowby’s Glen We’d give Barrowby man Glen Thomas a wide berth. Following a passing boast during pub banter at the village’s White Swan, Glen pledged to beat his local pub’s record for eating pickled eggs — currently 23 — by eating 25! Spectators can sponsor Glen’s efforts, with proceeds from the charity event going to the Grantham Journal’s Brick in the Wall appeal. “I love pickled eggs.” said Glen.

Get In Touch: Email your news releases, forthcoming events and what’s on events to editor@lincolnshirepride.co.uk or call 01529 46 99 77.

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Follow Our Useful Colour Coded Guide: n News n What’s On n History n Gardening n Sports n Shopping/Markets

n Guildhall Arts Centre, Tel: 01476 406158 www.guildhallartscentre.com 1st-20th December: Ballroom Dancing Learn to dance a range of ballroom and Latin dances including the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha and Jive in this fun and friendly workshop. n Shopping & Markets Market every Saturday, farmers’ markets second Saturday in the month.

Gainsborough News n Model Railway Club Opens Memorial Room Gainsborough’s Model Railway Society has opened the Don Handley Memorial Room at their Florence Terrace premises. The group has a half a mile of track with 150 locomotives, and nine stations as well as a library as well as a library, archive and training room. n Shopping & Markets Open market on Tues and Sat, farmers’ market on second Saturday of the month.

Grimsby & Cleethorpes News n Eco-Friendly Keith Enjoys A New Business Venture Barnetby man Keith Yeates helped out a friend by searching for an electric cycle on the internet... and found himself with a new business venture! Keith recognised the shortage of local dealers for the cycles and decided to sell them in Lincolnshire. The cycles recharge in five hours, reach 30mph and costs from under £800, the will be sold by Keith’s Barnetby based ElecGo firm.

n Grimsby Auditorium Tel: 0844 847 2426 grimsbyauditorium.org.uk 9th - 26th December: Beauty and The Beast Steptacular family pantomime starring H from Steps. A beautiful princess falls for a horrible beast in this traditional family pantomime at Grimsby Auditorium. n Shopping & Markets Freshney Place Market Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat.

The Mill Wedding Fair.

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AroundLincolnshire News

Sports

Arts

Theatre

Horncastle & Woodhall News n ‘Let’s Remember Bomber Heroes’ Says Horncastle’s Charles Retired serviceman from Horncastle Charles Walbran was in the RAF for 12 years and now hopes to raise £4.9m to erect a memorial to Bomber County’s fallen heroes near to Buckingham Palace. The appeal, which will recognise the efforts of over 50,000 fallen heroes, is currently £2m short. Charles has created www.bombercommand.com to allow people to donate to the memorial, which could be completed as early as 2011. n Worried Margaret Seeking Reunion with Bumpy the Tortoise 48 year old Bumpy the tortoise — a former school pet for the Lee Chapel School Primary School currently enjoying retirement in Wragby — has disappeared. Owner Margaret Newland is appealing for information after the beloved pet went missing or was stolen from Bumpy’s Sawmill Lane pen. Anyone with any information should call 07825 944444. n 12th December: Elvis at Christmas Elvis is alive and well! This month you can see the King at Mareham Le Fen Village Hall as he stages a one-off Christmas show. Tickets are £8, with the concert beginning at 7.30pm. For more information call 01507 568061. n Shopping & Farmers’ Markets Farmers’ market held on first Saturday of each month.

Shopping Your Guide to What’s Happening across Lincolnshire this Month

n Louth Playgoers Tel: 01507 600 350 www.louthplaygoers.co.uk

Lincoln Christmas Market.

6th - 11th December: The Wind in the Willows A delightful new dramatisation, with enchanting songs, of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of river-bank animals – wise old Badger, kindly Ratty, gentle Mole and conceited, boastful, bossy Toad whose crazes for caravanning and motor cars land him in all sorts of trouble! This classic story has been a favourite of both young and old for generations. It is an ideal show for pre-Christmas entertainment for the whole family. n Shopping & Farmers’ Markets Louth market on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, farmers’ market second Friday and last Wednesday in month. Alford market Tuesday and Friday.

Lincoln News n Lincoln on Ice in 2010

Long Sutton & Holbeach

Louth & Alford

n Marvellous Meccano Celebrated in Moulton Moulton Mill’s recently celebrated a classic childhood toy with a weekend dedicated to Meccano.

n Explosive Discovery as Gardener Digs up Bomb! Police from Louth were called upon to diffuse a potentially explosive situation recently. An unexploded bomb was dug up in the town by one Admiral Road gardener... the bomb was taken to Donna Nook where it was subject to a controlled detonation. We’re assured no flower beds were harmed in the explosion.

Around 100 visitors passed through the doors of the weekend event to marvel at large, impressive or simply skilful creations in the medium. Chairman of the Friends of the Mill Alan Lambert said; “There were spectacular models and train layouts on display!” n Stolen Bell Tolls for Justice at Sutton Bridge A historic bell used at Sutton Bridge’s railway station has been stolen from a house in the village’s Mill Lane. Police are appealing for information.

n Salvation Army Celebrates 125 Years with Louth Concert Louth recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Salvation Army with a charity concert. Featuring music from Boston’s Salvation Army band and Louth Choral Society, the event took place at Louth’s Town Hall.

Lincoln has ice skating all wrapped up this Christmas with its Lincoln BIG sponsored ice rink opening in City Square as Pride goes to press. The rink will remain open until 2nd January, from 10am - 9pm daily, with a charge of just £6.95 for adults and £4.95 for concessions. Each year, over 25,000 skaters enjoy the rink, which takes 10 days to build and costs £120,000. New this year is the ability to upload skating photos to Facebook and Twitter. The rink will be officially opened in late November and will feature on Lincs FM throughout December.

Get In Touch: Email your news releases, forthcoming events and what’s on events to editor@lincolnshirepride.co.uk or call 01529 46 99 77.

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Follow Our Useful Colour Coded Guide: n News n What’s On n History n Gardening n Sports n Shopping/Markets

n Drill Hall, Lincoln Tel: 01522 873891 www.lincolndrillhall.com 11th December: Christmas Soul Dance all night to the greatest music from the 60s and 70s … it’s time to Get On Up and get down In the Midnight Hour. By the end of the night you’ll be Dancing in the Street with Jimmy Mack and Lady Marmalade! The perfect winter warmer! 14th December: Dick Wittington Spectacular festive pantomime and follow Dick and his cat Tommy, on his journey from Lincoln to London Town. Look out for a cameo from John Marshall as The Sultan of Morocco and Harry Potter star Chris Rankin (Percy Weasly) as King Weasly Rat. n Theatre Royal Tel: 01522 519999 www.theatreroyallincoln.com 1st - 11th December: A Christmas Carol This Christmas, Charles Dickens’s heartwarming favourite A Christmas Carol comes to life in a fabulous new stage adaptation. Will the meanest and most cold-hearted man in in London change his ways in time for Christmas Day?

n 2nd January: Help for Heroes Viennese Concert The Lincolnshire Committee of Help for Heroes is organising a fundraising Viennese Concert and lunch at the Lincolnshire Showground for 800 guests, featuring the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Starring Soprano Caroline MacPhie, the concert will take place on Sunday 2nd January 2011 from 10.30am. Tickets are on sale now, at £70ea. For further information see helpforheroesconcert.org. n 2nd - 5th December Lincoln Christmas Market: Lincoln Christmas Market has developed dramatically since it began as the UK's first German-style traditional market with just 11 stalls back in 1982. Now, the event attracts over 250,000 and features over 250 stalls, and some of the best shopping in the UK. Be a part of the event from 2nd December between the Castle and Cathedral. n Shopping & Farmers’ Markets Mon-Sat in City Centre, farmers’ markets first Friday in month in City Square, second Thursday in month in The Cornhill, third Saturday in month in Castle Square — subject to change during Christmas Market.

Lincoln BIG Ice Rink.

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AroundLincolnshire News

Sports

Arts

Theatre

Shopping Your Guide to What’s Happening across Lincolnshire this Month

Spalding

Scunthorpe News n Scunthorpe Pods to be Finished by May Work is underway on Scunthorpe’s £21m Pods development... and planners have revealed that it’ll be completed around May 2011. The building will be watertight this month and when completed will include two swimming pools, a 90-station gym and sports hall with dance studio.

News n Gateway Knitters Hope for 6,000 Wooly Hats! Members of the Gateway Club — the Spalding group for those with learning difficulties — hope to knit over 6,000 mini-hats as part of Age Concern Spalding’s efforts to raise money to enable the charity to fund winter warmth projects.

VIPs at Lowndes’ Charity Concert.

n Shopping & Markets Spalding market in Tuesday and Saturday, farmers’ market on first Saturday in each month.

n Shopping & Markets Market on Friday and Saturday.

Stamford & Deepings

Sleaford News n Turnbull’s Christmas Shopping Event — 26th November Exclusive retailers will join Sleaford’s Turnbulls at their Woodbridge Road showrooms for a night of Christmas shopping on 26th November from 7.00-9.30pm. Organiser, Deborah Hopkins, has organised for quality businesses such as Thornton’s Chocolates, The Book People, Lakeland, Country Cupcakes, Jamie Oliver at Home, and many more companies along to the showroom. The evening will be held in aid of St Barnabas Hospice Trust with prize draws and refreshments available throughout the evening. n Shopping & Farmers’ Markets Farmers’ market held on first Saturday of each month.

News n Battering Competitors: Chippy’s Best in Region Deeping chippy, Seafare at The Boundary, has officially been named the Best Independent Takeaway Fish & Chip Shop in the East of England in the National Fish & Chip Awards 2011.

Performers from the Linkage Community Trust.

Skegness News n Fundraising Concert Rocks Around the Ages Skegness toy shop R Lowndes on Lumley Road recently held a spectacular charity concert to raise money for the Butterfly Hospice Trust and the NSPCC. With music from the 1950s - 1990s, the event was a huge success and the shop hopes to top last year’s £8,500 fundraising efforts from the concert, enjoyed by over 400 people!

n Embassy Centre Tel: 01775 764777 www.embassycentre.co.uk 8th December: Rotary Christmas Carol Concert Join the Rotary Club for their annual Christmas Celebrations. Fantastic family evening of entertainment and Carols, featuring many local children and other local performers. 17th - 30th December: Peter Pan Pantomime Spectacular Christmas pantomime for the whole family! Starring Carol Johns, Lee Craig Norman and Nic Gilder as the evil Cap’n Hook! n Shopping & Farmers’ Markets Skegness market Mon to Sat.

The chippy will go on to compete for the title of UK’s best chippy, the winner of which will be announced in January. n Stamford Arts Centre Tel: 01780 763203 stamfordartscentre.com 4th December: Tom’s Midnight Garden By Image Musical Theatre. This wonderful story tells of the intersection of two people’s time; Tom’s time of the 1950’s and Hatty’s time of 1890’s. n Shopping & Markets Stamford market on Friday and Saturday (smaller market). Farmers’ market on alternate Fridays, contact TIC for details.

Get In Touch: Email your news releases, forthcoming events and what’s on events to editor@lincolnshirepride.co.uk or call 01529 46 99 77.

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s m a h a r G of

LOUTH Young at Heart! Traditional to Outrageous

First Class Clothing Gifts for Christmas

Men’s Fashion to Suit You • Individual • Colourful • Fun

Years of experience giving personal service

23-25 UPGATE, LOUTH LINCS LN11 9ER • TEL: (01507) 600530 16

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

WHICH SCHOOL? HOW SHOULD YOU CHOOSE...?

A guide to choosing the best independent school for your child, courtesy of Baston based Kirkstone House School

Choosing a school is not easy, but the key to success lies in achieving the correct match for each particular child. League tables and published statistics may give a guide to academic achievement, but reading a menu doesn’t give you the flavour! Parents and pupils need to visit a school; talk to staff and soak up the atmosphere. Open Days are useful showcases, but a school which welcomes parents and pupils on a normal working day should be visited. There is nothing as valuable as walking the corridors in a change of lesson time; watching children in the playground or seeing them in class. One child in a family might be perfectly matched to his or her school, but that is not to guarantee that a second child will flourish in the same way. As a community, each school will have its own ethos, values and culture; in education there is no ‘one size fits all.’ The size of a school is a factor for some parents. Some children flourish in the vibrant atmosphere of a large school where competition not only academically but also in terms of Sport and the Performing Arts is fierce; others need a smaller environment where they will be well known and taught in smaller classes. It is certainly the case that in a small school community there are fewer pupils ‘left on the bench or longing for a part in the wings.’ Small schools are ideal for pupils who need to build confidence in order that they can achieve their full potential. The choice of an Independent School, Comprehensive or Grammar School is another choice to make. Again, the only way to make a decision about a school is to visit and to ask questions. It surprises some parents that Independent school fees may often be paid on a monthly basis and many schools offer scholarships and bursaries. Independent schools do have their entrance examinations, but in some schools these are diagnostic tests rather than being of the pass or fail kind in the Grammar Schools. Kirkstone House School has just celebrated achieving its best ever GCSE results as 89% of their pupils gained A*- C grades. The

school accepts pupils of all abilities and so its Value Added is superb. Headmistress, Corinne Jones explains that this is due to the individual support and individually tailored education that all pupils receive. The curriculum is wide and options at GCSE are based on the personal choices made by each individual. This year the school is making the most of its unique environmental centre which is a site of special scientific interest and its rural setting to offer the BTEC Land and the Environment Course. This and Photography BTEC offer pupils an opportunity to study practical subjects as well as traditional GCSEs.

Pupils from Kirkstone go on to study at a wide range of post 16 educational establishments. This year pupils have gained places at Oakham, Kings School in Peterborough, Spalding and Bourne Grammar Schools and Stamford Schools. Beyond the academic curriculum, Kirkstone pupils have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. A new Youth Theatre was established last year and Sport continues to be a strength of the school. The atmosphere at Kirkstone House is unique and no one visits without coming away with the feeling that this is how education should be. n

i Kirkstone House School, Baston, Peterborough Finding Out More: Visitors are welcome at any time and appointments can be made through the Admissions Secretary, Mrs Custance: admissions@kirkstonehouseschool.co.uk Contact Details: Kirkstone House School, Main Street, Baston, Peterborough, Lincolnshire, PE6 9PA. Telephone: 01778 560350. Web: www.kirkstonehouseschool.co.uk.

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Farewell Holby For over six years now, Stamford actress Amanda Mealing has played her firebreathing physician alterego Connie Beauchamp. That’s a long life expectancy for any soap character and an exercise in endurance given the 4am starts and 12-hour days of filming. With her dramatic exit storyline due to screen later this month, we caught up with Amanda just as she finished her last scenes...

Words: Rob Davis. Image: David Venni.

Physician, heal thyself. That’s the premise behind this month’s dramatic exit of one of TV’s best loved actresses as Holby City’s cardiothoracic surgeon Connie Beauchamp bows out of the show after six years. Actress Amanda Mealing is, in real life, much nicer than her character — the scalpel-sharp CT lead whose ferocity is matched only by her surgical skill. For the Stamford based actress, playing the character has been incredibly enjoyable, and her exit from the BBC1 drama series is intended to preserve Connie, rather than subject her to plot inertia. “Connie was actually based on a real person.” the actress revealed during an exclusive interview. “There were just four female CT surgeons in the UK at the time, one of whom — an Iranian surgeon — was immaculately turned out, practically born in high heels but very skillful. We thought she was a great role model for women and based the character on her.” Before finding fame with Holby City in 2004, the actress — born in Dulwich, South London — appeared in Grange Hill, The Darling Buds of May, Four Weddings & a Funeral, The Bill and Midsomer Murders. Holby City, however, provided a regular character, and a formidable one at that. Following six years of character development, we’ve come to know and love Connie as an exceptional character and surgeon. “In the early days, Connie was a bit 2D.” says Amanda. “A sexual predator, power hungry, cutting and rather bitchy.”

As the series progressed though, viewers discovered more about her, and realised that the character had to become tough to transcend the politics of a male-dominated profession. “It’s great to play a character who’s successful on her own merit, rather than as someone’s wife or as someone who’s subordinate to a man. She’s a great character, but we’ve revealed all we can about her now, and I feel Connie should leave before she becomes boring or before she’s subject to storyline one-upmanship and has to continually top all of her previous plots.” Amanda’s departure from the series will also help her to concentrate on her charity work, and spend time with husband Richard and children Milo, 11, and Otis, eight. The family lives near Stamford in a 19th century farmhouse. Amanda says she moved to Lincolnshire from the city eight years ago, in order that her children would enjoy a better way of life. However, Holby’s schedule is such that Amanda is left with no time for her family, and so, for her own

The actress believes Connie is a great role

model; successful on her own merits rather than someone professionally subordinate to a man, or as someone’s wife...

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Amanda with co-star Ric Griffin, Hugh Quarshie.

family, as well as her on-screen family, Connie had to wield her scalpel for the last time. “The drama is filmed at Elstree Studios at Boreham Wood, alongside EastEnders, which means a five day a week commute at 4.30am to be at work at 7am.” she says. “Filming lasts until 7pm, roughly working out as an hour of filming per page of script, or four hours per scene, longer if we’re filming operating theatre scenes. I’ve lived in homes and hotels near the studios, commuted, but no matter what I tried I wasn’t seeing my family.” Completing her final scenes just before the half term holidays, Amanda spent a week relaxing at home with her sons before meeting us to reflect on life after Connie.

Amanda has since been spending time running — training for the London Marathon in 2012, and raising money for her charities, but says she’s really looking forward to a superb family Christmas. “Ordinarily I’d finish just before Christmas and be really tired but this year we’re really going to go for it and enjoy spending time with my family!” the actress says.

Connie’s exit storyline will see the surgeon reassessing her priorities with the recent arrival of axeman nemesis Henrik Hanssen...

“I love the job and I’m already missing it but I’ve missed out on so much of my children’s lives, little things like nativity plays, rugby matches. My boys came to meet me when I was filming my final scenes and Milo gave me a card that read ‘I know you’re sad that Holby’s ending but something new is about to begin, welcome home mummy.’ It was touching!”

“Connie has been great, and we’re leaving open the possibility of her return. It’s a strange job when you stop to consider it, but for now I’m looking forward to a break.” Connie’s departure will see the surgeon reassessing her priorities following the recent arrival of axeman nemesis Henrik Hanssen.

Discovering her father is ill, Connie takes stock of her life and determines that either her career or her family has to come first — perhaps a case of art imitating life. “It was heartbreaking filming my final scenes with Paul Bradley [Elliot Hope]... neither of us could stop crying, but I have to say, he was worse than me!” n Amanda’s final scenes will be shown on Tuesday 28th December, on BBC1, 8pm.

LIFE AFTER HOLBY FOR AMANDA

ON SCREEN Connie is a formidable woman, but whilst Amanda is a much more amenable figure, her determination is just as great. She’s currently training to complete the London Marathon in 2012 but in the mean time, Amanda is keen to support her two charities, Save the Children and Breast Cancer Care. Born in Dulwich and raised by her adopted family, Amanda made enquiried about her birth parents and found they were, respectively a former Biba model living in New York — with whom she is still in regular contact — and a half-Sierra Leonean poet and activist.

This, and an off-screen friendship with co-star Hugh Quarshie [Rik Griffen, pictured left], himself the son of a Ghanan diplomat, encouraged her to work with the charity in Ghana and Sierra Leone. Amanda filmed the documentary about Kroo Bay, a slum city, and with Milo, went to witness for herself the appalling conditions in which 25% of children die before reaching the age of five, later visiting Bangladesh to witness conditions there too. “My son was incredible.” she says. “He was asking ‘where will they get water, clothes’ — real fundamantals — he was so caring and so concerned for them, it was touching.” Back in England, Amanda met Ed Milliband — then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change back from the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit — and demanded to know how the £75m pledged to combat such appalling conditions was being spent. “He was brilliant.” says Amanda. “So ‘on it.’” The two met in Downing Street, and later at the British High Commission in Dhaka, and Amanda was invited to speak

at the party’s 2009 conference on behalf of the charity. Even Milo helped mum to raise awareness for the charity, by staging a sponsored ‘pat your head and rub your tummy’ event at his school with which the participating children entered the Guinness Book of Records. Amanda’s association with Breast Cancer Care, meanwhile, followed her own diagnosis the day after giving birth to Otis, a moment when new motherhood was overshadowed by awful news. Providing support and information for both patients and those surronding them, the charity was a great help to her following her diagnosis and following the loss of close friend Helen Edwards in May 2010 after an eight year battle with the disease. From early 2010, Amanda has served as one of the charity’s ambassadors, setting up her justgiving page (see below) and auctioning off Connie’s designer wardrobe in July in aid of the charity. You can contribute to saving lives this Christmas with a donation to breast cancer care: click on www.justgiving.com /amanda-mealing.

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Designs for Living from

Estu Kitchens

Kitchens, Bedrooms & Studies Value, quality and service have never been more affordable

01400 231 071 07885 591 814 The AGA Shop OUTER CIRCLE ROAD, LINCOLN LN2 4HU WARREN WAY, ALMA PARK, GRANTHAM NG31 9SE * Approved distributor in Lincolnshire for Quooker boiling water taps

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Crowds Far FromMadding

Kelstern Hall has been the subject of a complete restoration to create what its current owners describe as a quintessentially ‘Thomas Hardy’ country home far from Lincolnshire’s ‘madding crowds...’

“It’s like living in a Thomas Hardy novel.” says Elizabeth Winfield. “It’s quintessentially English.” The resident of Kelstern Hall is admiring the beautiful proportions of her elegant Victorian home, a full renovation of which has just been completed to the designer’s satisfaction, just in time for its next owners to enjoy. The property dates back to 1860, a newer property on the site of what is believed to be an older property dating back to 1762 with a property of an almost identical elevation. The Thomas Hardy reference is apt for, despite the fact that the Dorset author didn’t begin work on his first unpublished manuscript for another decade after the property was constructed, the landscape is similar to those which the author romanticised. Based on the site of a former medieval village — the earthworks of which remains visible today — Kelstern Hall looks out over the 14th century Church of St Faiths, and over a rolling landscape of open farmland. A sympathetic restoration has brought the property nicely up to date, but former interior designer Elizabeth and her husband, academic Ian, have carefully preserved the property’s heritage.

Kelstern House, TheKelstern, Coach House,Louth Carlton Scroop Owners: Elizabeth and Ian Winfield Style: Recently renovated Victorian country home on the site of a former medieval village. Receptions: Five, currently arranged as Drawing Room, Snug/Family Room, Dining Room, Dining Kitchen and Orangery. Bedrooms: Seven, with five bathrooms, including one en-suite. Other Features: Six acres of grounds, views over medieval Church of St Faiths. Five stables, outbuildings and converted office barn. Price: £1.5m. Find Out More: Savills, Olympic House, Doddington Road, Lincoln. Telephone 01522 508908 or see www.savills.com.

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Set in six acres, and with five reception rooms and seven

bedrooms, Kelstern Hall is generously proportioned and beautifully appointed family home, having undergone a comprehensive renovation by the current owners...

The couple has family in Lincoln, and moved to the county in 2007. Searching for a property in which to downsize, Kelstern Hall fitted the bill with elegant, practical proportions — though with five reception rooms and seven bedrooms it could hardly be described as modest. What struck the couple most about the property, though, was its location. The beautiful backdrop of Lincolnshire countryside and the unspoilt location drew Elizabeth to make comparisons with Hardy’s fictional landscapes, but the well-proportioned home and six acres with provision for horses also appealed. Upon moving to Kelstern, the couple embarked upon an extensive renovation, which included the creation of the property’s flagship feature, its kitchen & breakfast room.

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The property’s beautifully appointed kitchen with hand-made oak cabinetry and bronze-flecked granite surfaces.

The kitchen was installed by Osborne of Ilkeston, and features beautiful hand-made cabinetry in solid oak and pine, finished in Farrow and Ball String and Railings paint. Featuring a luxuriously large Belfast sink, fully-renovated four oven Aga in glossy black, as well as mod cons including US-style fridge freezer, Miele steam oven and cappucino machine, induction hob, and twin dishwashers, it’s a great place to cook. Glossy granite surfaces with bronze flecks, a chandelier, Travertine floor and island with solid oak surfaces complete the kitchen, adding finesse to function, whilst a practical dining area supplements a re-styled formal dining room with open fire. “It’s a wonderful property in which to entertain.” says Elizabeth. “This season

we’re looking forward to having the family over and hosting drinks parties for friends... it’s a sociable house, grand but friendly.” The property’s drawing room features an original marble fireplace, whilst a large, beautiful Amdega orangery, added by the previous owners serves as a further reception room, and throughout the ground floor, marble floors and a unique mosaic in the entrance hall add to the house’s period style. The property has been created with grace, but also with practicality in mind — the east wing’s former enclosed maisonette has been reclaimed, providing a study, utility room, further boiler room, separate bedroom and wetroom for those looking after horses and anticipating an early start, as well as a boot/tack room for the adjacent courtyard’s stabling.

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Kelstern Hall is perfect for those

with equine interests, with five stables, six acres and a large courtyard with York stones. With beautiful views over the Church of St Faiths, the property could come straight from the pages of a Thomas Hardy novel... Throughout the house are soft furnishings from retailers including Lees of Grimsby, and bespoke lambrequin window dressings in silk. Upstairs the property features seven bedrooms & four bathrooms with the master featuring an en-suite and dressing room. With a total of six acres, the property includes five stables, large barn with office to the first floor, and a series of workshops and tack rooms surrounding a substantial York stone terrace. The mature grounds feature a ha-ha overlooking the church, thatched Breeze House for entertaining and a lake with viewing area to admire the wealth of wildlife visiting the property throughout the year. “The cobbled stables are beautiful, and the property is great for those with equine interests.” says Liz. “We’ve two horses and some donkeys... there’s plenty of room.” With the couple’s daughter having left home and with family back in Derbyshire, Elizabeth and Ian’s extensive renovation has been completed just as their circumstances necessitate moving away and downsizing. “We’ll miss the property so much.” says Elizabeth. “From the position and the view to the proportion of the rooms, to the architectural detailing on the cornicing and the fireplaces. It’s beautiful. Ultimately though, we’re just pleased to have made the property our own and to have improved it during the time we’ve spent here.” n Kelstern Hall is now on the market with estate agency Savills of Lincoln for £1.5m.

Inspired Buys Farrow and Ball paints — Railings No31 and String No8; £3.25 sample, £26.50 2.5litres. www.farrow-ball.com. Dualit Toaster; £195, from Millcraft Interiors Cookshop, Market Rasen; 01673 844439. Watson by Duresta, in 2, 3, or 4 seater sofa, mahogany feet with brass castors. www.duresta.com. Black two-oven Aga. www.aga-rayburn.co.uk. Orangery/terrace furniture. Barcelona corner group in brown/black weave rattan from Trade Leisure; £899, www.trade-leisure.co.uk, 01522 685444.

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• Bespoke Designs, Traditional or Contemporary styles • Full Project Management & In-House Tradesmen • Appliances, Flooring & Tiles, all budgets catered for

1033 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE4 6AH Tel: 01733 324111 • Web: www.klassickitchens.com

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A NEW PLACE TO FIND THAT

BEAUTIFUL PRESENT Two Lincolnshire businesspeople are seeking to bring unique, individual gifts to Lincolnshire’s Christmas shoppers with a new shop that stocks exclusive names like Cath Kidston “It’s a dream come true.” Says Heidi Shooter of Boston based Sparkledust. The town’s newest giftware retailer is bringing independent shopping back to an area of the town packed with multinational retailers. Owned by Heidi and business partner Samantha Lakin, the new shop is situated between Marks & Spencer and Pescod Square, adjacent to Oldrids. Stocking gifts for ladies, for gentlemen, for children and for the home, the retailer has already raised eyebrows with impressive gifts that can’t be found anywhere else in the town, or elsewhere in Lincolnshire. “We’ve been open since September 2010.” Says Heidi. “We were selling the same sort of products at home parties, or at charity events and PTAs. When the shop came up for lease in August it seemed like a great opportunity to have a permanent base.” Exclusive Cath Kidston Products The shop’s flagship range is Cath Kidston — a range for which the shop had to be vetted and approved — who provides handbags, cosmetics, purses & glasses cases and home accessories, with a superb range for the kitchen. “She’s a really popular designer and we’ve selected the best products especially for the shop.” Says Heidi. For the home, there’s a huge range of ‘shabby chic’ and vintage homeware, with kitchenware, photo frames, decorative accessories and art. The shop has also tried to ensure a range of toys and games for children, all with an educational and art & craft bias. “That reflects that we used to work with charities and PTAs, to which we’d give 10% of takings back when we hosted money-raising stalls and home parties.” says Heidi.

Ranges include wooden toys, craft gifts, and lots of unique toys from smaller designers and manufacturers with names including Tyrrell Katz, Orchard Toys and Melissa & Doug. It’s a great place to find schoolbags, and lots of toys with fairies, pirates and monsters… perfect for those looking for Christmas gifts for little monsters of their own. The shop also stocks baby cosmetics with beautiful gifts for new mums and for baby too. Hand Made and Personalised Gifts We also specialise in personalised gifts such as pictures, bunting and wooden hairbrushes. There’s a strong emphasis on home made gifts at Sparkledust, too, and for special occasions, the shop stocks a range of home made cards and stationery for Christmas & birthdays, and for weddings. There’s also a range of soaps and cosmetics as well as candles and bath bombs for the ultimate in relaxation. The shop can also make up hampers for occasions such as new babies, weddings etc and can tailor them to suit all budgets. “We’ve had some really great feedback so far.” Say Heidi and Sam. “We’re delighted that people are telling us our ranges are unique and well-priced. We want to provide people with individual gifts, gifts that are a little more special and well-thought out. As the Christmas season progresses we’re already stocking more and more in the way of unique and special gifts for loved ones, so we’re really hoping Lincolnshire people will pop in for a look!” Watch out for our seasonal previews – open every Thursday in November so customers can avoid the Christmas shopping rush and shop in peace… n

i Sparkledust, Boston The Entrepreneurs: Heidi Shooter and Sam Lakin previously sourced and sold giftware at home parties and charity events. Now, the duo has a permanant location in the form of Sparkledust Gifts in Boston’s Silver Court, adjacent to Pescod Square and Oldrids. The Ranges: The shop stocks a range of gifts with Cath Kidston and other stylish, ‘shabby chic’ retailers providing retro style for the home. It’s a great new venue for finding that perfect gift for ladies, gentlemen and children. Finding Out More: 2 Silver Court, Boston, Lincs PE21 6JR. Alternatively, call 07767 756169. Opening Times: Wed 10–3, Thurs Sat 10–4.

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BEAUTIFUL GIFT IDEAS JUST A FEW IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS AVAILABLE FROM SPARKLEDUST...

Above/Below: Childrens’ Gifts from £2.50 - £10. Right: Cath Kidston Bags £35, £45.

Below: Blush £7.95. Cath Kidston Glasses Case £12. Tissues £0.95. Cake Bar £4.50, Small Cake £2.25. Bath Bombs £2.

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For hand-made bespoke and quality German kitchens Full project management — electrical, plumbing, gas, architectural, building and decorating services available. Modern and Traditional kitchens from £5,000-£80,000. Appliances from Miele, Gaggenau, FPM and NEFF.

Broad Street, Stamford 01780 767928 www.bakehousekitchens.co.uk

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF

HOME IMPROVEMENT

WITH COLIN LUESBY INTERIORS This month, we celebrate five decades and a wealth of home improvements in Swineshead as the village’s Colin Luesby interiors reaches its half century anniversary... Back in 1960, JFK was elected President of the US, Audrey Hepburn slipped into a Givency dress to film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Lonnie Donnegan released skiffle hit ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman,’ and a little closer to home, one of the county’s longest-established kitchen retailers opened its doors for the first time. Politics, cinema and music may have changed considerably, as has kitchen design, but a constant throughout five decades has been Colin Luesby Interiors’s efforts to ensure customers improve their kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms with the best results and the minimum of disruption. “Improving your home can cause disruption.” Says the business’s owner Paul Trevor. “Co-ordinating different tradespeople, sourcing suitable appliances and ensuring everything is fitted well, on time and to budget is a tricky business. That’s why you need to work with a supplier you can really trust.” Paul has been involved with the business for 15 years, taking over from father Raymond Trevor, who started the business with business partner and namesake of the company, Colin Luesby. Today, Trevor’s aim is to deliver brilliant customer service every time, and manage customers’ home improvements to take the technical difficulties, stress and organisation away from them.

“Our customers can choose from over 1,000 different designs of kitchens alone.” Says Paul. “We use computer aided design, of course, but we always begin with a consultation in the clients’ home. We listen to our customers and offer the complete service, which means our clients always get the kitchen or bathroom they want — a bespoke installation — rather than something standard.” Paul is a carpenter by trade and as such approaches each job as a professional tradesperson rather than a salesman. He has a trusted portfolio of builders, plumbers, electrical and gas specialists, tilers & decorators, and project manages each job himself. “We’ve had a great deal of repeat business over the years,” says Paul, “Which I think proves that we give great service. Kitchen technology and styles of kitchens & bathrooms have changed over the years, but our customer service hasn’t diminished despite the increasingly competitive industry.” Today, the company offers the latest materials, including granite, timber, Corian and Silestone surfaces, and cutting edge appliances from Bosch — the company is the only VIP dealer for the German brand in the county — as well as the latest technology in the form of boiling water taps, waste disposal systems, dishwashers and induction hobs.

Bathrooms, too, have changed over the past five decades, with the firm providing new auto-filling baths, whirlpool suites, electronically remote controlled showers anddesigner suites with plenty of storage. Home offices have also changed, and alongside quality fitted bedrooms, the company now provides practical studies with provision for the modern home office and all of its technology. “I think what we offer is bespoke quality, but without the cost.” Says Paul. “A business that has been trading for 50 years should by all rights have a good reputation, but we’ve literally thousands of customers who have been delighted by the service they’ve received. For us, customer service isn’t a luxury… it’s a necessity, and a pleasure to deliver.” n

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i Colin Luesby Interiors, Swineshead, Lincs The Company: Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and home offices from leading designers. All accessories and appliances installed. Full project management with building, plumbing, gas and electrical work included. Family business with 50 years of heritage. The History: Run by Paul Trevor. Established in 1960 by Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father Raymond, and Colin Luesby. Finding Out More: Market Place, Swineshead, Boston. PE20 3LJ. Telephone 01205 820215 or see www.colinluesby.com for more information.

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Going Greenhouse Lincolnshire Pride’s kitchen gardener Lorraine has always been environmentally conscious, but this month, she’s going ‘green-house,’ to prepare for 2011’s growing season The breaking news from Damson Cottage is that horse chestnut leaf miner damage is clearly visible this year! This pesky pest is a moth that lays its eggs on the foliage; the hatched caterpillars enter the leaves and begin chomping their way through the internal tissues of the leaves.

The horse chestnut leaf miner is a relatively new pest in Britain it was first recorded in 2002, it has worked its way north since that time. If you notice horse chestnut trees around you looking as though they are going through their autumn leaf change a bit too early, take a closer look.

National Tree Week (27th November – 5th By September the leaves on the tree are December) celebrates the start of the brown and dropping earlier than they tree planting season. Why not get would do normally. Holding a leaf up out and visit some gardens In the Garden; to the light the caterpillar is clearly for inspiration? visible. Three generations of the Lincolnshire Pride’s leaf miner can go about their If you have the space available business in one season. to consider growing a tree in Lorraine Bellis works your garden, container grown Tree Trouble trees can be planted all year from her kitchen garden I have one horse chestnut and and bare rooted trees are best it is a mature tree, around eight in Thurlby near planted in late Nov, early Dec. – 10 metres tall and about 20 25 years old. Last year the tree There is a tree for every garden, Alford was mildly infected and this year the fruit trees can be grown in attractive moth has taken a stronger hold. containers on the patio. Acers come in Thankfully the leaf miner is unlikely to kill all shapes and sizes, they produce amazing the tree, but I now need to take some autumn/winter colours if you are short on determined action to try to minimise the winter interest, and an Acer could make a damage being done. very welcome addition to the garden! That action — according to the RHS — with an isolated tree, is collecting and burning the leaves. The alternative to burning is composting the infected leaves in sealed plastic bags until July next year. This will ensure that the adult moths emerge and die.

What a Hoot! A Tawny Owl has been making his presence known here in recent days. As I was putting the ‘chooks to bed a few nights ago, I could clearly hear him just a few metres away from me. I was not close enough to see him, but he

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Main: Lorraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tawny Owl. Above: Make the most of your compost heap when tidying up your garden the month.

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Lorraine says time spent in the greenhouse quickly changes from

propogation to meditation — investing time undercover will enable you to really make the most of your growing season in Spring 2011... was in the nearby treetop. I’m not sure where the winter roost is; I suspect the tumbledown building on the unused land alongside us may be it. Somehow, this experience with wildlife here feels as though we are in touch with our little site especially as it seems to have something to offer such an iconic symbol of the countryside. No pesticides or herbicides and a naturalistic approach to the garden are contributing to the diversity of the wildlife here. That in turn makes food available to these amazing birds of prey. A Wealth of Wildlife Gardens have been recognised as important spaces in the welfare of wildlife. As gardeners we have a part to play in supporting the wildlife that visits. Leaving grasses and perennials to overwinter and cutting them back as late as March creates shelter and food for bumblebees, birds and other insects. Bird feeders, areas in the garden for hedgehogs and other beneficial insects are some of the ways we can help. Sloe, Sloe, Quick Quick, Sloe This year I have made some damson gin and sloe vodka... It’s my first attempt and I’m looking forward to sampling the results.

Lorraine Bellis works from her Alford garden teaching experienced and novice gardeners how to grow their own food...

Sloes and damsons that have been frozen are especially good for this purpose as freezing softens the skins. The 2010 sloe vodka was made using sloes picked and frozen last year. The fruit is added to sugar and a bottle of gin or vodka, the sugar dissolves and the fruit flavours the alcohol. Approximately three months later a dark fruity liqueur magically appears. As soon as it’s strained into a sterilised bottle, you have a wonderful, homemade Christmas tipple at your disposal.

Planning for 2011 December 21st is the winter solstice, after that date, the days will begin to lengthen and gardeners will begin to think about the year ahead. I look forward to contemplating the coming season and the longer days. Armed with seed catalogues and plans December is a time to let your imagination run riot. Of course looking forward is usually accompanied with a reflective look at the year that has passed. I can see that my greatest achievements in the garden have been during the main growing season and I have a lot more work to do if I can be satisfied with my winter achievements. The loss of cabbages and broccoli to cabbage white butterflies has been the greatest loss to the production cycle this year... it won’t happen again next year. Going Greenhouse One of the jobs that come around at this time of the year is the preparation of the greenhouse. In 2010 I had my first experience of using my own propagator and greenhouse. Sowing seeds, preparing each tray, labelling... these are slow steady contemplative jobs that make a greenhouse a lovely place to be. The calm quiet surroundings, sheltered from the weather turn propagating into a meditation. I have collected lots of seeds from plants around the garden; they are in paper bags filling the propagator and before too long I will be amongst the pots and seeds again. Of course this year, I must remember not to grow quite so many tomatoes; every available space was overwhelmed by them! I certainly enjoyed the glut I hoped for – perhaps a little too much. Who knows what the winter will have in store for us this year. Another cold snowy spell, or a warm and wet start to the New Year, whatever the weather, have a warm cosy Christmas and look forward to a productive ‘dig for victory’ year ahead. I wish you a Merry Christmas! n

Jobs for December Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage and sprouts. Remove fallen leaves and create a compost heap to provide a rich source of nutrition for Spring. Plant spring roses.

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WHAT’S ON IN THE

KITCHEN GARDEN

NATIONAL TREE WEEK 27th NOVEMBER - 5th DECEMBER First mounted in 1975, National Tree Week is UK's largest tree celebration annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season.

Above: Gin made from Lorraine’s Sloes and Damsons will provide a welcome winter tipple!

The Lincolnshire Pride Kitchen Garden

Plot size two acres. East-facing, with loam and sand soil. Illustration by Jo Davies of Jo Catherine Designs.

1. Damson Cottage. 2. Cottage Garden. 3. Patio with Herbs Salad Planters. 4. Ornamental Pond/rose arbour. 5. Kitchen garden. 6. Summer House. 7. Garage and Hard Standing. 8. Greenhouse. 9. Hen House. 10. Polytunnel. 11. Compost Heap. 12. Pond. 13. Allotment. 14. Native Hedging. 15. Leylandaii 16. Lime Trees. 17. Pine Trees. 18. Lawn. 19. Fruit Trees. 20. Hazel. 21. Rose Bed and Silver Birch.

National Tree Week is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Each year, Tree Council member organisations such as voluntary bodies and local authorities, up to 200 schools and community groups, our 8,000 Tree Wardens and many others, support the initiative by setting up fun, worthwhile and accessible events, inspiring upward of a quarter of a million people to get their hands dirty and together plant around million trees. For more information see www.treecouncil.org.uk.

WEAVING WILLOW WREATHS, STARS & HEARTS FOR CHRISTMAS SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER Make your own beautiful Christmas decorations from local, natural materials, made from colourful willow varieties, birch and dogwood. Based at Manor House Stables, Timberland, £60 course. See www.manorhousestables.co.uk.

HOME GROWN CHRISTMAS SUNDAY 12th DECEMBER Doddington Hall celebrates a home-made Christmas with its Create Willow Christmas Decorations course, and towering tree grown on the Estate with delightful festive floral displays, created by Rachel Petheram of Catkin Flowers. Rachel will be using plants and foliage from the Estate, a green approach uses flowers from earlier in the year which have been dried and stored with Christmas in mind together with seasonal foliage — pick up some ideas for your own decorations at home! Call 01522 694308 or see www.doddingtonhall.com.

LORRAINE’S RECOMMENDED WEBSITES: www.bellisperennis.co.uk, www.workinggardenscic.co.uk, www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk www.gardenorganic.org.uk, www.soilassociation.org, www.transitiontowns.org.uk, www.food-festival.net, www.iyb.org.uk, www.originaltouch.co.uk, www.onepotpledge.org. Lorraine Bellis provides one-to-one tuition to those who wish to establish a kitchen garden.

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Unsurpassed Quality, Affordable Craftsmanship Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms - full project management and free quotations

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113 Web: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

Create Your

Christmas W

elcome to Lincolnshire Pride’s complete guide to creating a beautiful family

Christmas... this month, we’ve guidance from professionals on the fine art of creating a beautiful Christmas tree, making table centrepieces and wreaths, creating Christmas candles and we find out how to wrap virtually any present...! Edited by Rachel Hollis. Pictures: Rob Davis.

Christmas Create a 46 Tree Style 48 wreath with with Sarah Bettinson Rachel Petheram

Centrepieces Gift-wrapping Festive Seasonal food 49 with Katherine 50 masterclass 52 candles with 96 with TV chef Armstrong-Short with Jane Means Attica’s Lisa Rachel Green

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As soon as you cut a tree down it begins to stop drawing in water — so it’s important to cut 5” off the bottom and stand it in water as soon as possible...” 46

Sarah Bettinson, Christmas Tree Expert

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

TRIM YOUR TREE LIKE A PROFESSIONAL!

FOUR WAYS

WiTh BAuBLeS Fashion Christmas

There’s a skill to creating a beautiful Christmas tree... as Heckington’s Sarah Bettinson knows all too well. Part of the Visual Merchandising team at Oldrids, she’s part of the team which creates all of the stores’ trees! Words: Rachel Hollis and Sarah Bettinson. Photos: Rob Davis.

Big glitter bauble in pistachio £1.50 and pink 99p, fairy £8, garland of bells £4.99, green jewel bauble £3.99, Paisley bag £1.99, pearl frog £1.99.

Delicious Christmas

Copper pine cone £3.99/4, golden apple £2.50, gold glass bauble £2.50, bell bauble £1.39, drop finial £2.50, tassle bauble £2.50, copper bauble £1.99.

Christmas Symphony

Let there be Light!

Filler Baubles on the Inside

Trim your Tree from the centre out. Start with the lights, roughly 100/per ft. Buy quality lights, don’t scrimp!

Use ‘filler’ baubles — plainer baubles in a basic colour to complement your ‘luxury’ trimmings on the outside branches.

Garlands and Luxury Trim

Checking Your Tree

Hang any ribbon or tinsel, working from the outside in and back again, like a star, not a spiral, and hang your outer baubles.

Your luxury trim — the most elaborate baubles — should be placed evenly on the outer branches. Work downwards, from small to large.

Featured baubles and decorations are available from Oldrids, Strait Bargate, Boston (01205 361251), Downtown Boston (01205 350505) and Downtown Grantham, Great Gonerby Junction Grantham (01476 590239).

Butterfly £2.50, hazel bead garland £2.50, open filligree £1.99, clear silver embossed £2.99, hazel mirrored £1.99, pink £2.50, oyster £1.99.

Home for Christmas

Stocking £2.25, tarten bauble £2.99, Santa £6, red embossed £1.99 red mirror £2.50, berry £2.75, Pinocchio £1.50, pudding £2.50, heart £2.50.

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Wreaths and Centrepieces

LET’S GET CReATiVe WITH BEAUTIFUL WREATHS AND TABLE CENTREPIECES! Rachel Petheram of Doddington Hall based Catkin Flowers and interior designer Katharine Armstrong-Short create a decorative wreath and a beautiful table centrepiece...

Choose your style Rachel has created two wreaths for us — the first with leylandii, bay and ivy flowers, the second with red hydrangea, pine cones and box foliage.

Rachel’s Tip...

Create a Moss Ring

Add Your Foliage

Secure Your Wire

Hang Your Wreath

Collect leaf and twig-free moss, form into tight balls. Use floristry wire to secure them to a metal floristry ring, creating a ‘moss doughnut.’

Cut foliage into small pieces. Alternate texture and colour, wiring each piece in securely, and adding to the top, side and base.

Keep pulling your wire tight with each piece of foliage and pull tight at the end of the frame. Cut off at the end and fasten into the frame.

Fasten a hanging wire into the floristry wire, ensuring it is secure.

Rachel is a thriving local producer of sustainably grown flowers and runs the successful Catkin Flowers. Her cutting garden is based in the kitchen garden at Doddington Hall, near Lincoln, and Rachel runs exclusive demonstrations from there throughout the year. Her full wreath-making course is held on Friday 10th December, from 10am - 2.30pm £60pp including lunch in the estate’s farm shop. See www.catkinflowers.co.uk for details.

Experiment with different foliage in your garden — fruit, pine cones, nuts and seed heads can all be used to create beautiful wreaths.

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

CREATE A BEAUTIFUL

TABLE CenTRePieCe “Why not create your table centrepiece with electric lights?”

You’ll Need... Polystyrene ring, hessian or weave fabric covered. Imitation greenery inc berries. Sparkly Christmas twine. Large candle for centre. Optional: Battery christmas lights.

Katharine Katherine Armstrong-Short, Interior Designer

Cover Ring & Install Lights Cover ring with hessian or similar. Loosely wrap lights, Push greenery evenly around edges.

Distribute Decorations Distribute flowers and berries around the edge and wrap with sparkly twine for added glitz.

Insert Candle and Light up Place your candle in the centre on top of the lights’ battery pack. Katharine is a Lincoln-based designer providing interior decor for homes and businesses regionally & nationally.

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

HOW TO WRAP

ANYTHING! ADVICE FROM HARRODS’S GIFT WRAPPING TUTOR, LINCOLN’S JANE MEANS Canwick-based Jane Means is extraordinarily talented when it comes to wrapping gifts...! The Lincoln woman has created her own business travelling across the UK to teach the art of perfect wrapping. Her portfolio includes tuition and demonstrations for Harrods, House of Fraser, Lakeland, WHSmith, O2, Philips, Marks & Spencer, American Express, NSPCC and Claridges... to name a few! “Double sided sticky tape is handy when it comes to wrapping gifts.” says Jane. “But most of my paper is pretty ordinary — think of gift wrapping as being like a sofa; you can have a nice plain sofa, but really dress it up with elaborate scatter cushions — in this case ribbon, raffia and recycled Christmas decorations.” Jane also uses brown parcel paper, tissue paper, cellophane and even wallpaper to create beautiful wrapping. Here, she offers a few tips on how to wrap virtually any gift, but if you’re still keen to learn more, Jane is next demonstrating her craft at Washingborough Hall on 6th December 2010. n For more information on Jane’s gift wrapping courses call (01522) 548900.

PReSenT And CoRReCT... GIFT-WRAPPING ESSENTIALS FOR THE SEASON...

Double Sided Tape

Raffia

Lace Paper

Eyelet Tags

Ribbon

An essential for banishing unsightly tape from view! £2.50, 5 rolls for £10.

You can use raffia to tie, create bows... and it can be dyed too! £3.50

Lace paper, £2.50/4 sheets. Looks elegant, and it’s great for wrapping and packing!

Beautiful eyelet tags! The perfect ‘old fashioned’ finishing touch! £2.50/10.

NEVER scrimp on ribbon — it can enhance even the plainest paper! From £5/roll.

The above items were sourced from Jane’s Canwick based mail order gift wrapping shop at www.janemeans.co.uk.

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How To Wrap A Bottle of Champagne...

FOUR WAYS

WiTh WRAPPinG Country Wrapping

Cut your paper to size — roughly 50cmx70cm. Place bottle in the centre, lift wrapping up to bottle and pleat half way around.

Swap hands to pleat the remaining half; secure with ribbon. Your bottle top should be visible, double sided paper works well here.

Here, Jane has used requisitioned Christmas decorations to embellish, securing bells to the bottle’s neck with wire.

How To Wrap A Large Round Tin of Chocolates...

It’s always good to alternate plain wrapping with elaborate embellishment — think of it as pairing a tasteful, plain sofa with a range of flamboyant sumptuous scatter cushions.

Vintage Charm

Tough paper is best for wrapping tins. Trim your paper to size; the excess each end should reach only to the centre of the tin.

Pleat the paper inwards, working around in a circle. Pleat the bottom first as this will make the top easier to work with.

Secure each completed pleat with double-sided tape. Trim excess and tie a ribbon in the centre to disguise where the paper meets.

How To Wrap A Square Box (neatly!)...

White Christmas Simple boxes, ironically, necessitate the greatest accuracy. Ensure the edge of the paper only reaches to the top of the box.

Lift the paper over the box, folding each edge down. Double sided sticky tape is a must to ensure no tape shows.

When you come to the final end, instead of just folding the flap up, crease and stick it half way. Then, tape up the folded piece.

how To Create Your own Gift Bags...

Jane has used lace and black & white paper to create a brilliant contrast around a normally awkward to wrap bottle (see left!) and embellished with a requisitioned tree decoration.

Christmas Vibrance

Creating your own gift bags is quick and easy. Proceed as if you were wrapping a box, using a box as a ‘template.’

Leave one end of your box wrapping unsealed, slide out your gift. Firm creases are important when creating gift bags.

Pinch in the sides evenly. Slip your gift inside, then fold over the top of your box, seal with double sided tape and a ribbon.

Bright double-sided paper has enabled Jane to create this vibrant, bright and feminine wrapping scheme in a lime green and pink!

Believe it or not, this wrapping is actually wallpaper, which, beyond aesthetics, is as it’s ideal tougher for sharp-edged gifts.

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

A BURNING AMBITION

TO CREATE

CANDLES

OUR SIMPLE GUIDE TO CREATING BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CANDLES Lisa from Attica Design has seven years of candle making experience, creating and selling her own range of branded candles in her Tealby gift shop. Here, she shows us how to make a fabulously festive beeswax candle... “Rolled beeswax candles are a great introduction to candle making, they are simple to make and do not involve large pans of hot wax.” Lisa says. “They are an enjoyable craft project for children, who can make them with minimal help from an adult.” The beeswax sheets come in pre-formed honeycombed sheets, either in the natural yellow or in a wide variety of beautiful and vibrant colours. n

Lisa’s Tips...

Prepare Your Wick

Roll Your Candle

Finishing Off

Multi-Colour Candles

Lay the wick along the width of the beeswax sheet at one end, ¼ inch from the edge, leaving ½ inch of wick protruding at either side.

Fold the wax along the length of the wick. Wax should be worked at room temp, but if the wax is cool and thus brittle, warm it gently with a hairdryer.

Roll the remainder of the wax sheet, making sure the edges stay even. Once you have reached the end nudge the edge into the body.

Variations can be made using two colours, cutting the wax sheets into smaller rectangles and or cutting wax diagonally.

Lisa and Sarah run Attica Design together in the village of Tealby, and stock a wonderful range of handmade bespoke rural country crafts; Front Street, Tealby, Market Rasen, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN8 3XU. Alternatively, call 01673 838241 or see www.attica-design.co.uk.

A great place to source candle making supplies in Lincolnshire is E.H. Thorne of Wragby. Call 01673 858 555 or shop online at www.thorne.co.uk. Lisa also teaches how to make pouring candles, which is slightly more involved but rewarding for those finding their feet in the world of candle making!

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TAKING CARE OF

YouR TRee Advice from Sarah Bettinson on how to ensure your tree doesn’t ‘needle’ you unnecessary dropping...

ARTS & CRAFTS

in LinCoLnShiRe

Last Posting Dates for Cards: Airmail (US): 6th Dec. Europe: 13th Dec. UK 2nd: 18th Dec, UK 1st: 21st Dec. UK Special: 23rd Dec.

COURSES, CRAFT SHOPS AND LOCAL TALENT, TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL l Things to See: Visit Doddington Hall, Lincoln, on the weekends of 4th/5th, 11th/12th, and 18th/19th December to enjoy the sight of crackling fires, the towering tree grown on the Estate with antique angel, family decorations and delightful festive floral displays, created by Rachel Petheram. Special Carol Service on Sun 12th December at 1.30pm. See www.doddingtonhall.com for further details. Brigg’s Christmas Fayre takes place on Friday 3rd December with street entertainment and a craft market. Call 01652 652979 for details.

l Things to Do: Victoria Merrick’s Wicked Stepmother courses as Pride goes to press include We Love: Christmas Wreath Making hand-made with Rachel Petheram on Christmas 25th November, and Gift stockings Wrap Guru courses on 26th from Attica in Tealby. November based in Somerby. See www.wickedstepmothers world.co.uk for details. Sherry Forbes’s Straw Stars for your Christmas Tree course takes place on Sunday 12th December from 10am, and her Home Made Christmas course takes place on Wednesday 15th December, with the opportunity to create last minute hand-made gifts. See www.manorhousestables.co.uk or call 01526 378717 for details.

don’T FoRGeT: THE CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT! n Batteries; AA and AAA. n Candles, tea-lights and matches. n Spare bin bags. n Dishwasher tablets. n Digital camera memory card. n Car de-icer spray.

PeRFeCT PuddinGS... HOW TO MAKE A TRADITIONAL TREAT To serve four 250g butter, 250g dark brown sugar, 4 eggs 250g raisins, 250g sultanas 250g currants, 125g mixed peel, 2 tablespoons brandy, 250g plain flour, 1tsp baking powder, 50g mixed spice, 1tsp cinnamon Pudding cloth

Soak the fruit in brandy for 24 hours. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well as you go. Sieve the baking powder, spices and

flour together. Add the sifted flour and fruit alternately to the butter, sugar and eggs. Put the mixture in the pudding cloth and tie tightly. Place into rapidly boiling water and boil for 4 hours. Take out and change cloth for a clean and dry one. Hang the pudding in a cool place until Christmas morning then boil the pudding for a further 2 hours.

Q A

What are the different varieties of tree available and is one variety less likely to drop needles? Nordmann Fir trees (£5-6/ft) are bushy, glossy trees with soft-tothe-touch needles. Norway Spruce trees (£5-£5.50/ft) are thicker, and less flimsy; better for heavy decorations. Scots Pine trees (£5.50/ft), however are known to retain their needles longer. Stiff branches make decoration easier and Scots Pines have a strong pine scent. What qualities should I look for in a Christmas tree? Always always always buy your tree from a local source not a multinational retailer. These are the freshest, so the base hasn’t started to heal over because it’s been left standing. As such its ability to take in water drawing will be strongest. Choose one that looks fresh and springy. How should I care for my tree once it’s home? Always chop 5cm from the bottom as trees heal over when they’re cut, impeding their ability to draw in water. Immerse in water straight away and invest in a strong, good quality stand that will hold lots of water. Keep watered with around 2-3 pints, 1-2 litres daily and site your tree away from heat sources like radiators. n The Lincolnshire Pride Christmas tree was sourced from Grantham’s Syston Park Farm shop between Belton and Barkstone (01400 250000) — home to some of the freshest trees in the county; thanks and Merry Christmas!

Q A Q A

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This month in

56 Fashion Shoot

Shot on location by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa

68 Accessories

All that glitters is gold with accessories designed to complement your outfit...

79 The Wedding Album

James and Victoria Sewellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happily ever after in this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weddings section...

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Avant Garde Outfit: Exclusive stockists for this long indigo cocktail dress. Further Details: Available exclusively from Avant Garde; High Street, Horncastle; call 01507 525200. Our Shoot: Photographed by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel. For weddings, functions and dining call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

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CC Outfit: Charlotte (left) wears petite asymmetric jersey neck jet beaded dress ÂŁ99. Michelle (right) wears purple silk-blend bugle bead dress ÂŁ169. Shoes by Moda In Pelle. Further Details: Available from CC at Oldrids of Boston. Call 01205 357784. Our Shoot: Photographed by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel. For weddings, functions and dining call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

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Avant Garde Outfit: Designer cocktail dress in sapphire by Michaela Louise. Further Details: Available exclusively from Avant Garde; High Street, Horncastle; call 01507 525200. Our Shoot: Photographed by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel. For weddings, functions and dining call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

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Avant Garde Outfit: Black and navy Michaela Louise cocktail dress. Further Details: Available exclusively from Avant Garde; High Street, Horncastle; call 01507 525200. Our Shoot: Photographed by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel. For weddings, functions and dining call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

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Lindsey James Outfit: Pat wears violet pinafore dress with layered detail to hem, ruched flower embellishment and purple trim. Further Details: Available from Lindsey James Ladies Wear, Heckington Fen, near Sleaford. For more information call 01529 461175 or see lindseyjamesladieswear.co.uk.

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CC Outfit: Charlotte wears Paisley maxi dress is raspberry £110 with Murano glass multi-strand necklace £30. Makeup by Marie using Estée Lauder, hair by Oliver @ Image International, Oldrids, Boston. Further Details: Available from CC at Oldrids of Boston. Call 01205 357784.

Our Shoot: Photographed by Lincolnshire Pride at the Petwood Hotel. For weddings, functions and dining call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

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Little Black Dresses

Clockwise from Top Left: Navy dress £235 by Irresistible from After Dark, Boston Road, Holbeach (01406 423334). Rina Scimento Parisian plunge neck dress, piano accompaniment by R Barker of Avant Garde, 01526 352411. Charlotte wears Irresistible black dress £200 from After Dark of Holbeach. Michelle wears Little Black Dress by CC in Oldrids, Boston, 01205 357784, with shoulder detail and jersey neck £99. n

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ALL THAT GLITTERS Sparkly, luxurious and beautiful, presenting precious metals to complement little black dresses beautifully this season... Words and Images: Mandy Bray.

Sequined Clutch Bag by Accessorize.

Sequined Cape at House of Fraser.

Gold Ladies Watch by Rotary.

Sequined Shoes by Next.

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Black one shoulder dress by John Charles.

Bra & Knickers by Ultimo.

Gold Cluster Necklace by Mosaic.

Gold Sandals by Monsoon.

Black & Gold Belt by Ted Baker.

Gold Cuff by River Island.

Gold Leather Clutch Bag by Bags of Sparkle.

Designer Frames available from Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Briens Opticians, Brigg. Tel: 01652 653595.

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Cosmetics for Christmas

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Ladies’ Night The best cosmetics, perfumes and ‘finishing touches’ to ensure you look dazzling and feel great at seasonal parties... Images and Text: Rob Davis.

(From back, left) Swarovski encrusted make-up mirror £22.99. Arran Aromatics Fresh Fig massage bars £4ea.

Gold costume jewellery watch £10. Shoes by Poetic License £85. Zandra Rhodes ‘Rose’ clutch bag £40. Armani Code EDP 50ml £49.50. John Galliano EDP 40ml £42. Gucci Guilty EDP 75ml £60. Estée Lauder set with compact and mini-compact, four lip colours, gloss and three eyeliners in gold case £49 with any Estée Lauder fragrance purchase. Belle D’Opium EDP 90ml £70. Lady Million by Paco Rabanne EDP 80ml £60. Van Cleef and Arpels Feerie EDP 100ml £94. Heyland & Whittle Lavender set & bath fizzers £19.99. Chanel No5 EDP 50ml £59. Purple suede gloves £20. Necklace with diamanté detailing £35. Featured items are available from Hills Department Store, Broad Street, Spalding. For more information call 01775 767155 or see www.hillsdepartmentstore.co.uk.

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Male Bonding For Lincolnshire ladies who want their gentlemen to be well-groomed this season, or for those seeking a unique and luxurious Christmas gift, the world’s most famous spy has some grooming tips. Here, we enjoy a Vodka Martini with a range of 007-inspired gents’ cosmetics to leave him both shaken and stirred! Image & Text: Rob Davis. Stylist: Rebecca Goodyear.

From Left: Carter & Bond shaving mug & soap £25. Carter & Bond Thuya wooden bowl £40. Agua de Colonia 150ml EDC spray £15.95. Carter & Bond Fusion shaving set £175. Czech and Speake No. 88 soap Neroli, £35/3. Ginger Marvis Toothpaste 75ml £5.50. Floris No 89 EDT (identified by Fleming as Bond’s fragrance of choice) £55, and Rose 100ml

Mouthwash concentrate, £25. D R Harris 100ml talc and Aftershave Milk £9.95, £20.95. Dovo of Solingen Faux Mother of Pearl razor £125. Czech & Speake 100ml No. 88 Bath Oil £40. All items available online in time for Christmas delivery — call 0207 727 3141 or see www.carterandbond.com.

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Cosmetics for Christmas

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Bonne Noël

The greatest gift for Boston jeweller Noel Gleeson this Christmas will be the knowledge that after 30 years in business in the town, Wilcox and Carter has created three decades of happy memories for Lincolnshire families... This Christmas will prove extra special for Boston jeweller Noel Gleeson and family, as their Wide Bargate jewellery shop celebrates its 30th anniversary. Noel and wife Kath have provided advice and assistance to hundreds of customers seeking to mark the most important events in their life. From anniversaries and birthdays to engagement rings and wedding bands, the family jeweller is so well established in the town that customers who trusted the shop to buy engagement rings and wedding bands have since returned for anniversary gifts, jewellery for their children and even for their grandchildren. A Romantic Time of the Year “We’re looking forward to this month in particular,” says Noel. “Christmas is a romantic time of the year. We sell many engagement rings in December, with gentlemen choosing rings to surprise their loved ones, and with couples choosing rings together too.”

Another contemporary European brand is Thomas Sabo, a design-led sterling silver jewellery range. This range contains several distinct yet complementary elements – Thomas Sabo jewellery, Thomas Sabo Charm Club and Thomas Sabo watches. The ranges are constantly updated to keep up with fashion trends, and each piece is meticulously crafted.

Wilcox and Carter is this month celebrating 30 years of family jewellery on Boston’s Wide Bargate...!

The jeweller has a wide range of engagement rings from £250 - £15,000 with diamond set examples and white alloys currently proving the most popular. Men are much more clued up these days, according to Noel; but still appreciate expert advice when it comes to the technicalities of cut, colour, clarity and carat ratings. In addition to offering the services of a traditional family jeweller, however, Noel and Kath also provide a range of contemporary jewellery. They are currently ‘doing a roaring trade’ in Christmas gifts for loved ones of all ages.

Christmas Gift Ideas Pandora (a brand for which Wilcox and Carter is the exclusive retailer in Boston and Spalding) has been the most popular example of contemporary jewellery, but other brands are also proving successful.

The retailer also stocks the Italian-made composable Nomination bracelet, which is a charm bracelet for the 21st century. Further brands offered by Wilcox and Carter are Cimento jewellery, Ortak jewellery, Hugo Boss and D&G watches.

30 Years of Service “It’s important that we carry the latest names in contemporary jewellery, but also keep up the traditional level of customer service and the skills one would expect from a traditional family jeweller.” These skills include watch and jewellery repair — the specialism that Noel developed upon leaving his native Ireland to follow in his brother’s footsteps, (his brother is also a successful retail jeweller). Noel met his wife Kath in Derby where the couple owned their first jewellery business. The family then moved to Boston, to take

i Wilcox and Carter, Wide Bargate, Boston The Retailer: Celebrating 30 years of trading on Boston’s Wide Bargate, Wilcox and Carter is a traditional family jeweller that also stocks the lastest fashion jewellery ranges. The Ranges: As well as traditional services such as the supply and setting of diamonds, the shop stocks Pandora and Thomas Sabo composable jewellery, Ortak designer jewellery and designer watches from names like Dolce & Gabbana. Find Out More: 32a Wide Bargate, Boston, PE21 6RX. Call 01205 362719 or shop online at www.wilcoxcarter.co.uk.

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DESIGNER STYLE

CHRISTMAS

GIFT IDEAS WILCOX AND CARTER’S NOEL GLEESON PREVIEWS THIS YEAR’S BEST SEASONAL GIFT IDEAS

Left: Polished silver medallion heart pendent £169 and artificial silk cord £6.96 by Thomas Sabo. Right: Dolce & Gabbana chrome ladies watch £190. Below: Thomas Sabo bracelet in silver and black onyx £1149.

Kath and Noel in the Wide Bargate based retailer.

over Wilcox and Carter in 1981; Noel says that settling in Lincolnshire was the best decision he’s ever made. The jeweller has raised his family in Boston and has helped many other Bostonians to celebrate special moments in their lives too. “We take a great deal of pride in what we do,” says Noel. “It’s a responsibility and a pleasure to be able to help people to mark important moments in their lives, and we hope that this month, many more will celebrate special occasions as we celebrate a milestone of our own — three decades as a trusted business serving local people.” n

Left: Dolce & Gabbana gold unisex watch £295.

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Woody’s Bar

and Lakeview Restaurant

Lakeview restaurant with Bistro dining available on Friday evenings from 7.30pm-10pm. Extensive à la carte bar and snack menu. Call for details of our Christmas promotions.

Willoughby Road, Ancaster, Grantham Lincs NG32 3RT Tel: 01400 230552.

www.woodlandwaters.co.uk

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Wedding Album The

of James & Victoria Sewell

With a strong, well-implemented colour scheme and a beautiful Lincolnshire setting, this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s featured bride and groom really were pretty in pink... Images: Kevin Newton Photography, Lincoln; 01522 793269.

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Bride’s Name: Victoria Hanson. Groom’s Name: James Sewell. Ceremony held at: St Botolphs Church, Saxilby. Reception held at: Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa Best Men: Neil Buck. Bridesmaids: Victoria Sewell, Kate Hanson, Kirsty Webdill & Ana Maria Hanson. Bride’s Parents: Keith and Jane Hanson. Groom’s Parent: Geoff and Jill Sewell.

When/How did you first meet? Bride’s View: I knew of James, since our parents lived on the same road, but I didn’t really see him, as he was at Leeds University. Our eyes met when I was walking to my parents’ house and James was leaving his family’s house. We smiled at each other, and I thought he was very nice… the very next day, James had posted a note through my parents’ letterbox asking me out! Groom’s View: I’d seen Victoria a couple of times but, being very shy, I didn’t say anything to her until one Saturday afternoon, when our eyes met. I crafted a letter asking her out... and the rest is history! When in the relationship did he ‘pop the question’ and how did he propose? We had been going out for around two and a half years and booked a holiday to New York in January 2008. The day was extremely cold, with snow on the ground and we decided to have a walk round Central Park. James suggested sitting down on a bench, it was the third bench he’d asked to sit down on — which looking back was unusual — I didn’t particularly want to sit down because it was so cold. But the next thing I knew, James was down on one knee! What were the first things you decided on? We decided we wanted a summer wedding although James wanted to ensure the

wedding would not clash with the early stages of the World Cup! We opted for Saturday 10th July. We kept our fingers crossed for good weather, as we wanted a venue with nice grounds so people could sit outside enjoying the sunshine — the weather on the day was incredibly hot. I also remained adamant that I wanted a honeymoon to the Maldives! Any differing ideas about how your big day should be or things you both wanted to do differently? Conveniently, we both agreed with more or less everything and we both liked each other’s ideas. The only issue we had from the start was a venue; we looked round quite a few in Lincoln and surrounding areas. James really liked the idea of a reception in the Bailgate area of Lincoln but I had always imagined the wedding to be in the countryside. We settled on the Petwood in Woodhall Spa. Any pre wedding nerves? Bride’s View: I was a lot less nervous then what I thought I would be — the bridesmaids couldn’t believe how calm I was getting ready — I think it was all the adrenalin, and the glass of champagne I sipped that morning! The nerves really set in when I reached the church and saw the congregation outside, waiting for me and my father to arrive. People had even set up rows of chairs on the road to the church!

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Groom’s View: I went for a run in the morning to settle the nerves and clear my head. The day was so hot that, after a shower, I just couldn’t cool down, which meant getting ready was very hot and put me back a bit. I did experience a few nerves over the speeches, but we recited these before the meal so I could then relax and enjoy the day. How did it feel to walk down the aisle and take your vows? Walking down the aisle was incredible, something I will never forget — I was trying to walk slowly to take it all in and make the most it but was so excited I wanted to run — especially trying to concentrate on not tripping-up on my dress! Seeing James at the end looking back at me and taking my vows were moments I will remember for the rest of my life. Who did you choose for attendants? Bride’s View: I chose four bridesmaids; my sister, who was also a witness, James’s sister Victoria, my cousin Ana-Maria who travelled

from Spain and my best friend Kirsty. James’s niece Evie was our very cute flowergirl! Groom’s View: I chose a good friend, Neil Buck, as a best man, with Aaron Dorrington — another good friend — and Andrew Hilton — my cousin — as the ushers.

Walking down the aisle

was incredible, something I’ll never forget...!

What made you choose your dress and can you describe it? I had a very clear idea of the style of dress I wanted, but I did look through magazines and online for the perfect one. My dress was ivory and strapless, with pearls sewn on the bodice and diamantés, it had a full skirt and a long train. As soon as I tried it on; I knew it was the one and it was the first and only dress I had tried on! Where was your reception held? The reception was held at the Petwood. We chose the venue because we had been to a couple of good weddings there recently and we were impressed with Natalie Johnson — the events manager — and her ability to organise a good function.

Images: Kevin Newton Photography, Lincoln; 01522 793269.

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Our flower girl was just over two and a half years old and we had to keep reminding her to throw petals down the aisle...!

We had about 98 guests for the wedding breakfast and another 100 for the evening reception. What were the highlights of your day? Bride’s View: Evie our flowergirl was just over two and a half years old — we really didn’t know how she would take to walking by herself down the aisle — so we kept having little talks reminding her that she was to throw petals down! On the day James’s mum was sat at the end of the aisle with a princess wand sticking out from the pew for Evie to see and tempt her to walk down the aisle and throw petals! Groom’s View: The Vicar announced to the church that we were now Mr and Mrs Hanson — it should have been Sewell — despite checking with us just before, which was quite funny and the order of service was not really followed throughout the service! The journey in the wedding car from the church to the venue was really nice as it was the most amount of time during the day that we had time to speak to one another other, and were out of the spotlight for a bit!

Images: Kevin Newton Photography, Lincoln; 01522 793269.

Did you have a honeymoon? If so where and most importanly did you enjoy it? We went to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, where we were thoroughly spoilt!

This also incorporated my birthday whilst we were over there. It was a fantastic honeymoon which we will never forget, especially seeing the elephants in Sri Lanka and dolphins in the Maldives. Any Friends or family you’d like to thank? We had a great deal of help from friends and family in organising the event. Both sets of parents helped out financially, whilst Auntie Brenda made an excellent job of the wedding cake. Jackie — a family friend — did an amazing job with the flowers! Anyone you wish to recommend? Kevin Newton’s photography was excellent; he ensured the necessary photographs were taken, and helped conduct the day. Sam Beal made a super video of the day, including a video diary of the day and we would highly recommend her. The chauffeur and car, KWH Wedding Cars, were also excellent and we would highly recommend him. How Are you finding married life? Bride’s View: Married life is blissful with my husband, just what I’d hoped. We are enjoying everyday together. Groom’s View: I’m enjoying married life, it’s flying by! n

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

WIN YOUR WEDDING

PHOTOGRAPHY

WITH REG MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY This month, in an exclusive prize draw, one lucky couple can win their wedding photography free of charge courtesy of Louth photographer Reg Moore... Local photographer Reg Moore can often be found photographing weddings throughout Lincolnshire, but that’s just the beginning of the photographer’s vocation. His client list reads like a ‘who’s who’ of blue chip names and includes SAAB, the BBC, B&Q, AXA, local authorities, hotels, developers, fashion designers, industrial & engineering firms as well as local producers and suppliers. His body of work ranges from equestrian action, to food images for supermarkets — about as far removed as you can get from where his career began. "I love the outdoors... I surf and windsurf, which has taken me to some really great locations. When I wasn’t on the water I had a camera in my hand and began to sell sport, travel and landscape images to magazines.” Reg, based in Louth, quickly built up a portfolio of work and was signed by a leading picture agency. “One thing led to another and I started pitching to clients like SHELL, Britanny Ferries and The BBC.” the photographer says. “It’s not all glitz & glamour... far from it, I've worked on farms, in busy industrial workshops and once spent a three-day period crawling through mud in drainage ditches and flood relief pipes for a civil engineering client!”

“Providing customers with images which meet and exceed their expectations gives me a real buzz.” says Reg. “No more so than for wedding clients; it’s a big day and the planning & build-up is tense - especially for the bride. The photographer says he considers part of his job to put everyone at ease and make the day fun. “I like nothing more that to capture the more natural and special moments when people are at ease.” Choosing a wedding photographer can be a minefield of potential hazards as more and more amateur & part time photographers promote themselves as being up to the job. “I'm often amazed at the statements I read and the fees of those which purport to be 'the county's leading photographer' or 'the best in the area...' When all the customer really wants is for you to be the best for them!” The photographer says commercial work, for magazine editors and company sales & marketing professionals is often technical and demanding. This may not be the case with brides-to-be, however, so Reg likes to ensure that all of the weddings he photographs yield individual, beautiful pictures for the county’s brides.

Likewise, the photographer says that working with junior snappers is also important. “I offer one-to-one training sessions and sometimes have trainee photographers from college and universities accompany me on jobs.” he says. “It’s great fun and it keeps me on my toes... its great as they look at things from a fresh perspective.” Reg also likes to do what he can for local charities and is keen to help any worthwhile cause and offers his services to them for free — organisers need only to contact him and discuss their charity’s events. Reg Moore is offering a free wedding package for one lucky couple. Mention this feature when booking and your name will go into a draw being held at The White Hart Hotel in Lincoln on 13th March 2011.

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A selection of wedding shots by Reg Moore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; win your wedding photography in 2011/2012 find out how below!

i Reg Moore Photography, Louth The Photographer: Reg has years of experience working as a wedding, fashion and commercial photographer. His past clients include the BBC, B&Q, SAAB and AXA. The Competition: This month, you can win a free wedding photography package for your 2011/2012 wedding courtesy of Reg Moore Photography. Simply mention this feature when booking your package and the winning couple will be announced at the White Hart Hotel wedding fair on 13th March 2011. The Details: For more information on Reg, see call 0800 1707 101 or see www.regmoore.com.

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Kellie Martin and James Hockley married recently at All Saints Church on Brant Road, Lincoln. A reception followed at The White Hart Hotel.

Boston couple Anne Cooper and Andy Doig recently married at Matlock Bath in Derbyshire. A reception at a later date was then held at the Assembly Rooms Boston.

Photographer: R A Davey Photographic, Lincoln 01522 539026, www.radaveyphotographic.co.uk.

Photographer: Steve Lilley Film & Photography, Matlock. 01773 881488, www.derbyshireweddingphotographers.co.uk

Sarah and Kevin Edwards married at Crowland Abbey recently. A reception at St Guthlaid School followed afterwards.

Debbie and Dale Lui recently held their wedding blessing at St Mary Magdalene, Bailgate, Lincoln. Their reception followed at The Lincoln Hotel.

Photographer: Veena Cornish Photography, Holbeach 01406 422331, www.veenacornish.co.uk.

Photographer: Reg Moore, Louth 01507 609477, www.regmoore.com.

Congratulations to all couples marrying in the county this month - to have your wedding featured here, e-mail weddings@lincolnshirepride.co.uk or ask your photographer to contact us directly on 01529 469977

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

BRAND NEW BISTRO PROMISES GREAT FOOD AND VALUE TOO! Looking for somewhere new to eat? We’ve a great suggestion in mind with the opening of Fernie’s Café Bar & Bistro, which this month unveils, a brand new bistro menu!

Over 250 guests attended the recent opening of Kim Fernie’s new coffee shop Fernie’s, on Lincoln’s Jasmine Road last month, and this month the bistro aspect of Fernies had a grand opening were the venue’s head chef Marc Thomas unveiled his brand new bistro menu to invited guests. Fernies is an open modern design with Italian designed comfortable seating for up to 50 people, which allows you to see directly into the kitchen where you can see all the food being freshly prepared by Head Chef Marc. The new purpose designed Bistro opens at 4.30pm from Tuesday through to Saturday (booking essential) with mood lighting and a relaxed dinning atmosphere with the theatre of the kitchen on view, it’s a fabulous place to dine where you can watch Head Chef Marc creating fabulous dishes for you to enjoy and savour. Fernies offer an early bird menu from 4.30pm until 6.30pm Tuesday through to Saturday where you can eat two courses for £9. The Bistro menu is served from 6.30pm onwards; the menu includes seven starters

and eight main courses from around £5 and £10 with the introduction on Friday of Fresh Fish Night running alongside the seasonal bistro menu. Sunday Lunch is great value at under £7 and again uses local produce. The bistro is a vibrant place for all with exciting modern English food with a Mediterranean twist. Fernies Bistro will be offering themed nights like a Latin night with a live Cuban band with a sit down tapas, jazz nights with Creole Cajun food, these are a few of the forthcoming events. So whether you are coming for a party or romantic meal Fernies is the place to be. Exceptional value goes hand-in-hand with quality — Marc’s former commission saw him working under Gary Rhodes, so great food, local ingredients and value for money are all assured at Fernie’s. n Visit Fernie’s Bistro on the Birchwood Shopping Centre complex, Jasmin Road, Lincoln LN6 0QB or call 01522 691939. For a complete set of menus, see www.fernies.co.uk.

Special Offers at Fernie’s: 29th November, 7.30pm: Mr J Ivory talks about his life as a Stone Mason at Lincoln Cathedral. Finger buffet with coffee and tea - Tickets £10. Christ mas Menu: Available in December please ring for details. Boxing Day: Special festive menu – Bookings only. New Years Eve: A sit down gourmet menu with a live band, bagpipes and a special wish at midnight – Tickets £50 – please book early. Great Offers: Eat a three course meal in the Bistro during November and December 2010 and receive a 15% voucher off throughout January and February 2011 for use in the bistro {excludes early bird menu}. Book a Christmas Meal, Boxing Day Meal, or purchase New Year’s Eve ticket and receive a 15% voucher off throughout January and February 2011 for use in the bistro.

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Upper Crust... The

This winter, welcome traditional dining back into your life and enjoy hearty, traditional food courtesy of Mark Shakesby. The Horncastle chef is known the length and breadth of Lincolnshire for his exceptional pies, and with this season providing a wealth of game, it’s the perfect time for Mark to reveal why his pies really are the upper crust... Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Horncastle’s Mark Shakesby is aiming to put the tradition back into traditional winter dining. Synonymous throughout Lincolnshire with Brown’s Pie Shop in Lincoln, where he worked for over a decade and a half, for over five years since the chef has been running his namesake, offering traditional dining in the town specialising in home-made food. “I had a vision for the food.” Says Mark, who runs the business with partner Estelle. “Traditional, rustic, wholesome food, hearty, with lots of local ingredients, but prepared really well, with care and skill.” The chef is from Gainsborough originally and trained in several Lincolnshire venues before settling in Lincoln. He became renowned for producing pies, utilising traditional ingredients, and these remain a feature of the restaurant today. Situated by Horncastle’s River Bain the West Street restaurant is replete with original features.

Image: Wil Hawkes.

Shakesby’s is a traditional

restaurant renowned across Lincolnshire for its tall, golden pies, cooked to perfection using the best ingredients the county has to offer...

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The restaurant is traditional in appearance, reflecting the food itself.

Flagstones and red brick pantiles give the place real character, and low, beamed ceilings provide an intimate, cosy dining environment...

A former bakehouse, and an Italian restaurant the building fell into dereliction until 2005 when Mark, who was seeking a place of his own, embarked upon its restoration. The kitchen was completely refitted, and bar area refurbished, and today, the restaurant is a long, narrow dining room with glorious old flagstone flooring and a large open fireplace. A lounge area adjacent to the bar is comfortable and warm, with leather sofas and stacks of logs next to an inglenook fireplace. Towards the rear of the restaurant is further seating with red brick floor and specially lit alcoves containing photographs of Shakesby’s food, taken by Mark’s partner Estelle’s son Wil, and blackboards detailing forthcoming special offers. Recently renovated is The Gallery, providing 36 covers on top of the existing 48 covers and available for private dining. With abstract artwork purchased by Mark and brightly coloured walls, it’s a slightly more contemporary environment, but shares with the main dining room views over the Bain. There is a further 12 covers on the balcony, which Mark says prove highly desirable during the summer months. However, the riverside location has proven a curse as well as a blessing, with widespread flooding of the town in 2007 resulting in a six week closure when the venue found itself under 18 inches of water. “I was devastated.” Says Mark. “We had to close and refurbish the venue just two years after opening, steam cleaning every surface to sanitise it and replacing kitchen equipment. It had a terrible impact on the town, but it really brought the community together.” Mark also tells of how his regular customers and other business were delighted when the restaurant re-opened, and how the community worked hard to rebuild itself. Today, the restaurant is open for evening dining six days a week, with à la carte menu and a ‘Beat the Clock’ menu for dining between 5pm and 6.30pm with pricing based on the time of diners’ arrival.

The early menu comprises four starters and five main courses, with optional dessert. Starters include Home Made Lincolnshire Terrine of Pork and Apricot, and hearty Home Made Soup. Main courses include Lincolnshire Mallard Breast Seared and served with Game Gravy and Braised Red Cabbage. Also available is Shakesby’s renowned Pie of the Day with puff pastry top. Dining on an à la carte basis means a choice of six starters and ten main courses. Our visit saw us enjoying a preview of December’s new menus, but a perennial favourite for the venue is the Lincolnshire Farmed Beef and Bateman XXXB Ale Pie served with root vegetables and puff pastry top — diners love its hearty taste, provenance and simplicity. Mark is a keen countryman and regularly attends local shoots. Game is a really strong feature of winter menus at Shakesby’s, with Lincolnshire Shot Partridge Breasts with Orange and Cranberry Reduction a perfect seasonal dish for those seeking traditional dining in winter. Other options include English Feather Blade of Beef, braised for four hours and presented on a bed of horseradish mash, Beef Fillet stuffed with Poacher Cheese, and Roasted Breast of Chicken which Mark serves on a Swede purée stuffed with McKechnie Scotch Haggis with a Bells Whisky Gravy — slightly less ‘Lincolnshire’ but delicious nonetheless. This month, Christmas menus are also available for £23/head, with a main course Christmas Pie — Lincolnshire Turkey with Cranberries, Smoked Bacon and Chestnut — and Pheasant adding to Shakesby’s seasonal appeal, and a Red Berry Crème Brulée available for pudding. “We source all of our ingredients locally.” Says Mark. “That’s the beauty of being in Lincolnshire. Our fish comes from Grimsby, fresh each day, our vegetables are sourced from Boston and grow on the land surrounding the town, and we serve English beef, pork and lamb.” Mark says he had a distinct vision of what he

Main: Home Made Lincolnshire Terrine of Pork and Apricot. Right: Asiette of desserts — Cheesecake, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Crème Brulée.

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i wanted for the restaurant, with high quality but down-to-Earth dishes that really appeal to Lincolnshire diners.

Shakesby’s Restaurant, West Street, Horncastle

To match the ethos of the food, flagstone flooring and open fires combine with rustic pine dining furniture, low ceilings and candles to create a traditional, warm dining experience that reflects a real affinity for wholesome, high quality food.

Cuisine: Traditional English food including a range of home-made pies.

With Mark’s superb home-made pies, winter puds like Jam Roly Poly, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Bread & Butter Pudding and with lots of real ale and fruity wines, as well as an welcoming, cosy dining environment, diners are left wanting nothing more from their dining experience. “It’s all about making the customer feel welcome.” Says Mark. “We’ve created what we believe to be a perfect dining experience for winter evenings.” n

Environment: Beautiful former bakehouse onHorncastle’s riverside with flagstone floors, red brick pantiles and open firest... perfect for winter dining! Menus: Christmas menus available from 1st-24th December, £23.95/head with choice of four starters, four main courses and four sweets. À la carte menus served Monday-Saturday, with six starters and ten main courses. Beat The Clock Menus from Monday-Friday — with prices based on time of ordering. Don’t Miss: Shakesby’s is most famous for its lofty pies — all prepared freshly to order in house. A mainstay of the menu is the Lincolnshire Farmed Beef and Batemans XXXB Ale Pie... delicious! Contact: Shakesby’s Restaurant, 5 West Street, Horncastle, LN9 5JE. For more information call 01507 526 626 or see www.shakesbys.co.uk.

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS This month, we provide inspiration for those looking to use Lincolnshire ingredients in their Christmas lunch... with recipes, ideas and advice for a unique celebration from Lincolnshire’s celebrity chef Rachel Green... Words: Rachel Green. Photos: Mike Powell. shake the pan to roughen the edges of the potatoes. Drain the parsnips and toss them in the flour, chopped thyme and seasoning. Pour the rapeseed oil into a large roasting tin and heat in the oven; you need around 1cm of oil in the tin. Add the potatoes and turn them over in the oil using a slotted spoon. Roast uncovered for 15-20 minutes, remove the tin from the oven and turn the potatoes, add the parsnips and shallots and turn them in the oil too. Roast for a further 35-40 minutes then turn all of the vegetables again, add the pancetta.

Increase the heat to 220°C/Gas 7 for a further 15-20 minutes, adding the thyme sprigs and bay leaves for the final 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and black pepper and serve immediately. n

ROASTED TURKEY Prepared with Fig, Apple and Shallot Stuffing with Fresh Sage Serves: Five. Preparation Time: 2-2.5hrs. Temperature: Preheat oven to 230°C/Gas Mark 8. 5kg free-range Totally Traditional Turkey 4 tbsp rapeseed oil Sea salt and black pepper For the Fig, Apple and Shallot Stuffing with Fresh Sage

CHRISTMAS VEGETABLES Roast Potatoes, Parsnips & Shallots with Pancetta & Bay Leaves Serves: Enough for five. Preparation Time: 40mins. Temperature: Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C/Gas 6. 1.5kg Potatoes, medium sized, peeled, 900g parsnips, medium sized, peeled, 2 tbsp plain flour 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped, plus a few sprigs 6-8 tbsp rapeseed oil, 12 shallots, peeled 200g pancetta, roughly chopped, 6 whole bay leaves, Sea salt and black pepper Cut any large potatoes in half and all of the parsnips in half lengthways, cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 8 minutes or until par-boiled. Meanwhile cook the parsnips in the same way in another pan for 4 minutes. Drain the potatoes well then return to the pan and cover,

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Above: Christmas Vegetables. Main: Turkey.

75g butter, 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 8 shallots, peeled and finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped 250g dried figs, chopped into small cubes 2 small eating apples, 250g fresh breadcrumbs 3 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped, 750g sausage meat 3tbsp of parsley, chopped, 1 large egg beaten Sea salt and black pepper Remove turkey giblets and reserve. Rinse the turkey inside and out and dry well. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan, brush the turkey generously with rapeseed oil and season with sea salt and black pepper and cover with foil.

Place the prepared turkey in the pre-heated oven and cook at this temperature for the first 30 minutes. Then, lower the oven temperature to 180°C/Gas Mark 4 and cook for approximately 30 minutes per kilo, basting every hour. To prepare the stuffing, heat the butter and rapeseed oil until the butter has melted. Add the shallot and fry

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“I love Christmas — in particular a moist, succulent roast turkey dinner with ingredients sourced across Lincolnshire!” Lincolnshire’s Celebrity Chef Rachel Green

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“With so many great ingredients grown right here in Lincolnshire, Christmas is definitely a time to rediscover your local farm shop or boxed vegetable scheme...” Lincolnshire’s Celebrity Chef Rachel Green

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

gently until well softened but not browned. Stir in the garlic and season well with sea salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl, leave to cool. Peel the apples, cut into quarters, remove the core and cut into small cubes. Mix the figs, apples, breadcrumbs, sage, sausage meat and parsley with the shallots, season well with sea salt and black pepper using clean hands and then mix in the beaten egg. The mixture should be quite firm, with wet hands, mould the stuffing into balls the size of a golf ball.

Rachel’s Christmas Tip: A 4kg Turkey will feed about six people, a 7-8kg Turkey will feed up to 10 people...

Place on a greased baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively you can use the mixture to stuff an onion, per person, and place the rest of the mixture into an ovenproof dish to cook. Take one small onion per person and peel, leaving the top of the onion intact and the base root in place. Peel and boil, whole, in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes, until just soft, drain and cool in cold water. Drain and cut the top off the onion, about three quarters of the way up, so as to make a lid. Using a sharp knife, hollow out the onion and stuff with the stuffing mixture, replace the lid and brush all over with rape seed oil. Bake for 30-35 minutes in the oven along side the turkey until cooked through and slightly caramelised.

When the turkey is approximately 35 minutes before the end of cooking, remove the foil, drain off any of the excess fat and cook for a further 35 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer the turkey to a platter and cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for 20-30 minutes. n

HOME MADE GRAVY Rachel’s Turkey Gravy with Sherry Serves: Enough for five. Preparation Time: 40mins. Temperature: Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C/Gas 6. For the stock: Giblets from a Totally Traditional Turkey 1 onion, cut into quarters, 2 carrots, cut into chunks 1 stick of celery, cut into chunks, 1 fresh bay leaf, 3 sprigs of parsley, 1 sprig of thyme, 5 black peppercorns To finish the gravy: 1 tsp redcurrant jelly 750ml of Totally Traditional Turkey giblet stock 100ml sherry, 2 tbsp of plain flour Wash the giblets in cold water, place in a large pan with 1.5 litres of cold water. Bring to the boil and removed any scum of the top of the water with a slatted spoon. Then add the rest of the ingredients, cover and simmer for 40minutes.

Uncover the pan and simmer for a further 20-30 minutes or until the stock has reduced by half. Remove from the heat and strain into a bowl, leave to cool, cover and place in the fridge or use immediately.

Left: Roast Potatoes and Shallots. Above: Home Made Gravy.

To make the gravy, bring the stock back to the boil and remove from the heat. When the turkey is cooked pour off the fat from the roasting juices, place the tin on the hob, whisk in the flour and place over a low heat and cook the flour mixture making sure you have scrapped up all the meaty sticky bits, on the bottom of the tin and stir constantly.

After 2 minutes, remove from the heat and whisk in the turkey giblet stock and redcurrant jelly, bring slowly to the boil, stirring constantly. Add the sherry and cook for a further 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Season to taste add a little more sherry if you want and then strain into a warm jug and serve. Any leftover turkey sherry gravy can be frozen. The giblet stock can be made 2 days before required. n

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CREATE YOUR CHRISTMAS

chopped. Cover the pastry with a damp tea towel to prevent it from drying out. Mix the remaining sugar with the ground almonds. Lay out a sheet of pastry and brush with melted butter. Place a second sheet on top, brush with more melted butter then sprinkle over a third of the almond and sugar mixture. Cover with a third Rachel’s sheet of pastry, brush with melted butter and sprinkle over the second third of the Christmas Tips: remaining almond and sugar mixture. Offer something less Top with a fourth sheet of pastry, brush with butter and sprinkle with the heavy, more indulgent remaining mixture. Top with a final sheet and brush with butter. by way of a

Christmas dessert!

Spread the chocolate mixture on top of the pastry leaving a 4cm border. Spread the cherries over the centre and tuck in the edges. Firmly roll into a log, place seamside down onto a greased baking sheet and brush with the remaining butter.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30- 35 mins until golden brown. Cool slightly on a wire rack before dusting with icing sugar and serving with cream.

AMARETTI ROULADE With Mascarpone and Festive Fruits Serves: Six-Eight. Preparation Time: 1 1/2 mins. Temperature: Preheat oven to 200˚C/400˚F/Gas Mark 6. 100g Amaretti biscuits, crushed , 3 large eggs 110g caster sugar, 1 tsp almond essence 40g self-raising flour For the filling: 400ml double cream, 250g mascarpone cheese, 1 tsp vanilla essence, 2 tbsp amaretto liquer 55g dried figs, sliced, 55g dried dates, sliced 30g prunes, sliced, 30g dried cranberries 30g sultanas, 3 tbsp Madeira, Icing sugar

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CHRISTMAS STRUDEL Black Cherry, Almond and Chocolate Serves: Eight. Preparation Time: 50mins. Temperature: Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. 1 tin pitted black cherries, drained and coarsely chopped, 1 tbsp kirsch, 100g whole blanched almonds, lightly toasted, 250g good quality plain chocolate 1 box filo pastry, 50g ground almonds 5 tbsp caster sugar, 125g unsalted butter, melted Icing sugar, to serve Soak the cherries in the kirsch and set aside. Place the whole almonds, chocolate and 2 tbsp of the sugar into a food processor and pulse until coarsely

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Above: Christmas Strudel. Right: Amaretti Roulade.

For the filling, place all the dried fruit in a bowl, and pour over the Madeira. Leave to soak for 30 minutes.

Bring a pan of water to the boil. Place the eggs, sugar and almond essence in a bowl, remove the pan from the heat and set the bowl over it. Whisk the eggs and sugar over the heat until they form a thick, pale foam. Sift over the flour and sprinkle in the Amaretti biscuit crumbs, and fold in. Pour the mixture into the lined swiss roll tin and bake for 10 minutes, until risen and light golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin. Beat together the double cream and mascarpone, until thick. Fold in the vanilla essence and amaretto liquer.

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Lay out a piece of greaseproof paper larger than the swiss roll tin, and dust it heavily with icing sugar. Turn the roulade out onto it, browned side down. Cover with the cream and mascarpone mixture, and lay the soaked fruits down the middle. Roll the roulade firmly into a log, and chill, wrapped in the paper and sitting on its seam, for 2 hours. To serve, carefully unwrap the roulade and place on a serving platter. Dust with some more icing sugar, and serve. n

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celebrate

christmas & new year in style this year at the lincoln hotel

christmas day £75.00 per person

boxing day lunch £21.95 per person

new year’s eve £75.00 per person OR £115.00 per person

to include a full night’s accommodation and new year’s day brunch For full menus see our website: www.thelincolnhotel.com

The Lincoln Hotel Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1PN

01522 520348 102

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AYear In Chocolate Congratulations this month to Tracey Cox and Mark Vines of Louth’s Little Chocolatier… the duo is celebrating the first anniversary in business as artisan chocolatiers... For pastry chef Tracey Cox and business partner Mark, things are really sweet in the world of chocolate. The duo is celebrating the first anniversary of their new business, The Little Chocolatier in Louth, with a new line of Christmas confectionery and hand-made truffles. “I’d worked in chocolate before, but it’s definitely a specialism.” Says Tracey. “The more I worked in the medium the more I realised how versatile it can be. I went on several courses and found myself specialising in artisan chocolate craft.” At the same time, Tracey was creating chocolate sculptures for friends and relatives, and was experimenting with truffles and ganaches, to great acclaim. The pair found a shop in Louth’s Pawn Shop Passage and opened their business, selling not only individual chocolates, but chocolate figures for children, and wedding cakes in chocolate too.

A trademark design from the shop is Tracey’s chocolate shoes, gift boxed and containing individual chocolates. Natural Flavours The Louth shop also stocks a range of ganaches & truffles, with 15 different flavours including rose, violet, lavender, raspberry, lemon, vanilla, and spirits including Cointreau, Courvoisier, Amaretto and Kirsch. Each of the shop’s ganaches used real infusions with natural flavours, and new to the shop this season are a Marc de Champagne truffle with a smooth, creamy and luxurious texture, and the company’s newest line.

This month, Louth’s artisan chocolatier celebrates its first anniversary with delicious new Christmas ranges...

One year on and Tracey and Mark invited us along to preview the business’s new Christmas lines and sample two exciting new flavours, their creamy Marc de Champagne truffles and Cherry & Kirsch Snobinettes.

Christmas Treats Many of the shop’s lines are brand new for Christmas, including new Christmas tree cones around 12 inches tall, covered in foilwrapped solid chocolate ‘baubles’ designed to create a delicious Christmas centrepiece. Other Christmas novelties include character shapes, from Santas to snowmen, to seasonal trees and reindeers, and less obvious designs such as Christmas

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Porsches, motorbikes, seashells containing truffle ‘pearls’ and football pitches.

“This Christmas we’re launching our Cherry and Kirsch chocolates.” Says Tracey. “Morello cherries macerated in the first eight hours of picking and dipped in Kirsch. It’s perfect for the season, warming, and strong. Dark chocolate has quite a bitter taste, so it provides a lively contrast.”

Quality Chocolate Using strong ingredients will only benefit the product, of course, if the chocolate used by Tracey and Mark is up to the same standard, and according to Tracey, there’s a secret to ensuring the best texture and flavour for anything the pair craft in chocolate. “Cheaper chocolate will have all of the cocoa butter — the most expensive part of the chocolate — extracted before a small quantity of it is replaced, supplemented by vegetable fats.” Says Tracey. “Our chocolate

The Little Chocolatier, Pawn Shop Passage, off Mercer Road, Louth The Shops: One year old this month, artisan chocolate shop selling chocolate figures for children, table centrepieces and liqueur chocolates for grown-ups! The Chocolate: Beautifully smooth vegetable fat-free Belgian Callebaut chocolate, with high quality cocoa beans and maximum 54% cocoa content for smooth, creamy taste. Find Out More: Call in at 2 Pawn Shop Passage, Louth, LN11 9JQ (just off Mercer Row). Alternatively, telephone 01507 355770 or see the firm’s new online shop at www.thelittlechocolatier.co.uk

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FIVE DELICIOUS

CHRISTMAS

GIFT IDEAS GIFT IDEAS THAT ARE ALMOST TOO GOOD TO EAT... FROM LOUTH’S VERY OWN ARTISAN CHOCOLATIER...

Red sculpted chocolate shoe with truffles £19.95. Chocolate cake; £5.95.

Tracey Cox, and Mark Vines are The Little Chocolatier’s artisan chocolatiers.

only contains cocoa butter, no other fats. That makes it taste better, but also ensures it melts on the tongue, rather than sticking to the roof of the mouth.” With chocolate fountains, chocolate wedding cakes and candy buffets, as well as designer chocolate sculptures and some of the best chocolates and ganaches in the county, the future is delicious for Tracey and Mark. “It’s been a great first year.” Says Tracey and Mark. “To launch a business in a recession has been tough but we’ve had some great feedback. We’re looking forward to a really good Christmas and have just launched out new online shop with delivery of gifts available across the UK... as such we’re now trading across the whole country. For a business called the Little Chocolatier, perhaps we’re not so little after all!” n

Truffles 100g (approx nine) £3.95. 200g (approx 18) £8.10. Shown here; Cherry & Cointreau, Rum Truffles.

Chocolate table centrepiece with solid baubles £15.99. Champagne truffles, 200g (approx 12) £19.95.

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A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS What would Christmas be without a few special treats over the festive period? Steep Hill Wines of Lincoln’s Ben Straw is going to take you on a journey through Christmas day with some of the wines that he positively adores, just right for each course of your Christmas lunch… and who knows, Santa may even bring him a couple of them!

ONE OF the simplest pleasures in life is enjoying wine that complements food well, but Christmas dinner can be a tricky meal for the lay person to match wine with. That’s why I wanted to recommend wines to match classic Christmas dishes course by course, beginning with a glass of choice champagne to celebrate good tidings... Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2000, Epernay - £49.95 What better way to start Christmas day than with a bottle of Pol Roger’s finest? The new release Vintage 2000 is a shimmering, straw-gold colour wine. A fine and elegant nose that is lightly honeyed and nutty. Rich and full of flavour on the palate, with a lively mousse and bright, incisive acidity. Nicely balanced out by the texture of the wine with a savoury, mouth-watering finish. Try with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs if you can tear yourself away from the presents.

Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Spätlese 2007, Rheingau, Germany - £30.25 The day progresses and as pre-dinner drinks beckon look no further than this stunning ‘late harvest’ Riesling. Shows a nose of apple and quince fruit. It has considerable substance without being heavy and has an enormous elegance. It is complete and wonderfully balanced. Just 10.0% alcohol by volume and of medium sweetness with 56 grams of residual sugar. Ideal as an aperitif, or if you have any left, an excellent accompaniment to poultry and liver pâtés, too!

intensity. Round, ripe and ripe in the mouth this sumptuous Pinot delivers plenty of flavour and complexity in a medium weight package. Ridge Geyserville 2005, California - £26.75 The Christmas pud has been consumed and those brave few are venturing towards the cheese board. The Geyserville has a rich nose of black cherry, liquorice, and sweet spices with a plush core of fruit on the palate. A predominantly Zinfandel blend that has a spicy finish with cinnamon, cloves, and anise wrapped around a raspberry layer. If you are a Zinfandel fan, this is a wine that you really should taste. Stylistically, it’s right up the middle and will go well with the turkey if you want to try it early!

Domaine Serafin GevreyChambertin Vieilles Vignes 2000, Burgundy - £44.95 Now you’re sitting down to the turkey and trimmings, so a Pinot Noir is called for. This domaine-bottled Christmas Burgundy is a bright, deep red. wines for Quite supple and ripe with good depth and nice finishing each separate

Montaudon Reserve Premiere Demi-Sec £27.95 A predominantly Pinot Noir blend with some Chardonnay course! and Pinot Meunier. A fine and persistent effervescence leads to a nose of brioche and toast, combined with a delightful freshness. Soft, smooth and slightly sweet on the palate of fruit and biscuit notes. Delightful with fruit desserts.

Niepoort 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Vila Nova di Gaia - £46.95 The meal is over, and if you’re like me it’s time for a place by the fire with the Christmas Day evening TV. So out comes the port. My preference is Dirk’s 20 year old Tawny. The prolonged ageing in small wooden casks confers the characteristic tawny colours and the complexity of aromas. An absolute pleasure to end the day with. n

6 i

Featured wines are available at Steep Hill Wines, Lincoln. Call 01522 544737 or see www.steephillwines.com.

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A Great Christmas Gift

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS — A GREAT GIFT! Delilah’s Fine Foods this month offers readers a great way to give loved ones a really special gift — a luxurious hamper packed with lots of local and speciality food from across the region! Looking for a great Christmas gift that really will be appreciated this year? Look no further than a luxurious hamper from Delilah Fine Foods. The traditional delicatessen, combined with a tapas style food bar gives it the opportunity to taste, buy and sell 1000’s of fine foodstuffs, and to demonstrate how these products can be used to create great dishes. “We are a dedicated team of ‘Foodies’ that are seriously passionate about food and wine.” says owner Sangita. “Our mission is to find unique foodstuffs from around the world; our philosophy is that only the finest, the freshest, the best will do; allowing our customers to

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taste and try new and exciting foods, with the confidence that they are tasting the best. Packed with foodie delights and gourmet goodies, the firm’s hampers can be designed by the team at Delilah, or created by you after you browse the deli to create a personalised gift. “We aim to give our customers the maximum flexibility in what they would like in their hampers and how much they would like to spend.” To make this as simple as possible we have also created an on-line shopping facility... it’s simple, it’s safe and it makes it really easy to give someone special a really great present this Christmas.” n

Delilah Fine Foods is based at 15 Middle Pavement, Nottingham NG1 7DX. For more information order your bespoke hamper online at www.delilahdeli.co.uk or call 0115 948 4461.

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The Queen’s Head Kirkby-La-Thorpe, Sleaford

Telephone 01529 305743 Ever changing à la carte menu together with chalkboard specials, alongside a less formal & reasonably priced lunchtime menu, all served by professional attentive staff. Dishes are prepared on the premises including homemade breads, using locally sourced fresh produce. We have an excellent range of cask & keg conditioned beers together with an extensive wine list. Proud winners of several awards recently including Lincolnshire Pride’s Restaurant of the Year 2009, and the Taste of Excellence ‘Best Pub Restaurant Award’ for best pub restaurant food in Lincolnshire. Thursday Evening Steak Supper, Sunday Evening Supper, Early Bird Special Served 6pm-7pm Tues & Wed, Lunchtime Specials from 12pm – 2.30pm Tues–Sat. Now open Mondays. www.thequeensheadinn.com

Located in the lovely Wold village of Tealby, The Olde Barn Inn now offers you a choice of Menu’s using locally sourced produce which is cooked to order in our 5* Kitchen. • A varied selection of Lunches & Evening meals, catering for everyone including Vegetarians & Children • Large garden and Terrace with Disabled access and facilities • Licensed venue for Civil Weddings, Civil Partnerships and other Celebratory Ceremonies. Open Daily 11.30am - 3pm & 6pm - 11pm, closed Sunday evening and all day Monday BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR CHRISTMAS

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MotoringNews Model Launches & Dealership News from across Lincolnshire

Sports

Executive

Prestige

News In Brief What Car? If You’re Buying Used, Make it a Mondeo, Discovery or Vectra WHAT CAR? magazine has just revealed its best used buys following this year’s Used Car of the Year ceremony. Based on depreciation, economy and customer satisfaction, it declared Ford’s Mondeo the best used buy overall, with Vauxhall’s Vectra the best estate, Land Rover’s Discovery the best 4x4, Mercedes’s S-Class the best used exec and Porsche’s Boxster the best used sports car.

BMW Green Fleet Champ BMW has been awarded the title of Car Manufacturer of the Year at the Green Fleet Awards. Judges at the awards praised the firm’s eco-friendly Efficient Dynamics technologies.

SAAB Launches New Large 4x4 SWEDEN’S second best export after Ikea meatballs is the SAAB motor car. This month the firm reveals its new X5 rival, the snappily named 9-4X. With a 2.8V6 turbo engine, performance is likely to be strong, if biased toward road manners rather than torque. The car will use the firm’s XWD with DriveSense transmission and adaptive chassis, and will feature an Eco mode to optimise fuel efficiency. SAAB also promises ‘best in class’ driving dynamics. Launch date and prices are to be confirmed but expect to pay around £35,000.

Audi’s A1 Lincolnshire Launch • German supermini launches with SE, S-Line and Sport trims. • £13,000 - £16,860. 1.6TD 70mpg, 1.4 Sport 126mph. AUDI’S A1 supermini finally reaches Lincolnshire showrooms this month, one of the most desirable models in the firm’s history.

Generous Equipment Trim levels for the new car will use the firm’s usual SE, S-Line and Sport designations.

Electric mirrors and windows, air Sporty or Frugal A direct competitor to the conditioning, CD player and alloy BMW-engined Mini, the A1 is cute and wheels are standard across the range. practical, offering a choice of S-Line trim adds a body kit, frugal 1.6 diesel engine with front fog lights, Bluetooth 105bhp, achieving Audi’s A1 and voice control. 118mph top speed and will challenge Top of the range Sport reaching 60mph in models also include a 10.5secs, or a sporty BMW’s Mini and beefed up body kit. petrol engine. The 1.4 litre petrol option is good for a top speed of 126mph, and will reach 60mph in under nine seconds.

Mercedes’s Smart brand of premium city cars.

The small Audi is also available with a choice of manual or automatic transmission, with front wheel drive and a 4x4 performance Quattro badged model expected to follow.

Great Value For anyone seeking a premium small hatch, the Audi offers a winning formula; it’ll handle brilliantly, represents the finest build quality, and from just £13,000, it’s tremendously good value. Look out for Audi A1 lauch events in Boston, Lincoln and Grimsby this month.

Audi A1 1.2 TFSI £13,000, launch date TBC. Available now: 1.4TFSi from £16,225. 1.6TDi from £13,545.

This Month: Volvo’s sporty new models aim to inject sporting charisma into the Swedish brand...

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MotoringNews

Out with the Old

Square, boxy, dull? Not any more. It’s out with the old and in with a fresh new breed of Volvos. The Swedish firm’s latest models are curvy, sporty and modern... and the company has rivals like BMW and Mercedes firmly in its sights...

Words: Rob Davis.

Pictured opposite is a challenger to BMW’s 3-Series and Audi’s A5. Yes, it’s a Volvo, and no, there are no boxy edges, dull interiors and bland lines. The two new models pictured here — the mid-range S60 saloon and V60 sportswagon — aren’t just a couple of new models, they’re a battle cry; a reinvention of the brand and a statement about what direction the company is heading in. Having finally shaken off its reputation for producing farm-and-family-friendly estates most likely to live out their long and dependable lives on school runs and shooting sorties this altogether sportier new breed of Volvo is has proven that the brand can be a little more ‘fun.’ Now, though, it’s time to prove the brand can match German rivals like BMW and Audi in terms of sporting ability and handling too. To this end, the company now offers R-Design models at the top of each line-up. These are essentially sportier looking models with darker interiors and more performance-oriented engines complete with R-Design wheels and body kit.

Naturally, Volvo hasn’t forgotten its traditional target market though. Its 4x4 models, the XC60, XC70 and XC90 are proving popular, and Volvo still produces spacious estates and executive cars. The company uses S, V, C and XC prefixes to denote saloons, estates, coupés and off-road vehicles respectively, with C30 and C70 models akin to BMW’s 1-Series & 3-Series convertibles, and Audi’s A3 & A5 vehicles. Its S40, S60 and S80 models ally themselves to the BMW’s 3-Series, 5-Series & 7-Series, Mercedes’s C-Class, E-Class and S-Class, and Audi’s A4/5, A6, and A8. However, in reality, the models are slightly smaller and less well-appointed than those offered by their German counterparts, making a direct comparison somewhat unfair. Its XC70 is a slightly ‘pumped-up’ estate, whilst the XC60 and XC90 present a challenge to Land Rover’s Freelander & Discovery, and BMW’s X3 and X5 respectively. 2011 Volvos promise better handing, higher quality and a sportier drive... but should the Germans really be worried? We decided to find out.

Images: Bright young things — Volvo’s new S60 and V60 will go head-to-head with market leading German brands.

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MotoringNews

Volvo has reinvented itself with sports-coupés, 4x4 models and plush new saloons... but rivals from Germany represent tough competition...

Small, But Perfectly Formed Kicking off the Volvo lineup is the C30 sports coupé. Small and indeed perfectly formed, the model is sleek and attractive, with an almost BMW 1-Series-esque haunch. 1.6, and 2.0 petrol and four diesel engines are available but our pick is the DRIVe model. This will return an astounding 74.3mpg on a combined cycle, and emits just 99 CO2, despite reaching 118mph and 60mph in 11.3 seconds, meaning a good blend of performance, economy and low tax bills. Each is well-equipped, with base ES models enjoying climate control, power windows, CD player and iPod connection. SE trim gains half-leather trim and cruise control, fog lights and power folding mirrors, whilst range-topping SE Lux and sporty R-Design models gain leather trim. The range isn’t cheap at £18,000-£23,000, but it’s well equipped, cheap to run on a day-to-day basis, stylish but sensible. S40, V50 The mainstay of Volvo’s family car line-up is the S40 and V50 estate derivative. With prices from £20,000 to £24,320, the model can really only compete with BMW’s lower-end 3-Series models — top variants of which cost over £38,000.

Nonetheless, with trim levels (ES, SE, and SE Lux/R-Design) comparable to the smaller C30 and the same DRIVe engine available, achieving 72mpg, a top-spec DRIVe SE-Lux is a great option for those seeking a car that cruises well and will rack-up frugal motorway miles without sacrificing comfort. Avoid R-Design models, which look great but don’t have the driving poise of a 3-Series. V50 models command around a £1,500 premium but offer a spacious, good looking and practical estate. The New Volvo: S60, V60 The model that Volvo hopes will convey a new message about its vehicle line-up is the new S60, which is shortly to be joined by its estate derivative. The S60’s sleek new profile is half Vauxhall Insignia, half Lexus, and looks a good deal sportier and more modern than other Volvo models, indicating the design direction the firm will move in during the development of subsequent models. Images: Volvo’s C30 sports/coupé.

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Volvo in 2011 Volvo Saloons

All models enjoy cruise and climate control, whilst SE trim gains parking sensors and Bluetooth, and SE Lux versions add powered leather seats. R-Design models add sporty seats and wheels whilst, confusingly, a Premium upgrade is also available for SE, SE Lux and R-Design models which adds leather, sat-nav, and a DAB radio. The models is great to look at, well-equipped, and with a 2.0 D3 engine will achieve 68mpg on motorways. If not a competitor to BMW’s 5-Series, then the S60 is, if nothing else, the 3-Series competitor that its smaller S40 sibling was always intended to be. Big is Beautiful: S80 The S80 costs from £24,500 to £40,000, wich puts it squarely in BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class territory. What the Volvo lacks in driving dynamics — especially with the frugal 62mpg but decidedly sluggish 1.6 DRIVe engine — it makes up for in equipment. SE Lux trim from £28,000 offers electric leather seats, sat-nav and parking sensors... but avoid the thirsty V8.

V70 for Traditionalists, XC70 for the Country For those who like the bitter warm, their cricket English and their Volvo’s big and boxy, the traditional V70 estate is old-school Volvo. Priced from £25,285 - £36,680, the best engine to put in the caravanner’s favourite is the fast all wheel drive 3.0V6; 27mpg and 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds. An all wheel drive XC70 offers better body protection and more ground clearance, a ‘half-4x4.’ C70 Volvo’s coupé/convertible is spacious, stylish and a viable alternative the arguably more dynamic and prettier E-Class convertible and BMW 3-Series. XC60, XC90 Volvo’s new XC60 is more road-oriented than the Freelander, but offers impressive safety kit including adaptive cruise and City Safety — a first in its class. However, with chunky looks, seven seats and family appeal, it’s the XC90 that really gives Volvo its reputation as a credible brand for families seeking a quality 4x4. n

Main: The XC60 is a Freelander-rivalling small 4x4 with a wealth of innovative safety features.

S40: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, T5. Trim Levels: ES, S, SE, SE Lux, R Design. Prices: £20,095 £24,320. S60: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0. Trims: ES, SE, SE Lux, R Design, Premium. Prices: £23,295 - £35,495. S80: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, V8. Trim Levels: ES, SE, SE Lux, Executive. Prices: £24, 545 - £39,630.

Volvo Estates V50: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, T5. Trim Levels: ES, SE, SE Lux, R Design. Prices: £21,445 - £25,670. V60: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0. Trims: ES, SE, SE Lux, R Design, Premium. Prices: £24,960 - £36,695. V70: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, D5, T6. Trim Levels: ES, SE, SE Lux, R Design. Prices: £25,285 - £38,680.

Volvo Sports C30: Engines: 1.6, 2.0, T5. Trim Levels: ES, SE, SE Lux, R Design. Prices: £17,995 - £22,855. C70: Engines: 2.0D, 2.4, D5, T5. Trim Levels: S, SE, SE Lux. Prices: £26,995 - £34,695.

Volvo 4x4 XC60: Engines: 2.4D, D5, T6. Trim Levels: S, SE, SE Lux, R Design, RD/SE. Prices: £25,495 - £33,195. XC70: Engines: 2.4D, D5, T6. Trim Levels: SE, SE Lux. Prices: £27,690 - £39,230. XC90: Engines: D5, 3.2. Trim Levels: Active, SE, SE Lux, Executive, R-Design. Prices: £32,095 - £42,790.

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High Society

Area 28 Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Circle Luncheon Area 28 of the Ladies' Circle recently held its North East Regional Luncheon at the Petwood Hotel. The event was attended by over 180 ladies, with a theme of 'Luxuriate with 28' ensuring the day was a resounding success! Images: Lincolnshire Photographers.

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High Society

Dinner in the Nave at St Botolphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church The Worshipful Mayor of Boston Cllr Peter Jordan OBE recently invited friends of St Botolph's Church to The Mayor's Dinner in the Nave, a three course meal in aid of the Mayor's nominated charities The Boston Stump Restoration and Development Appeal and Macmillan Cancer Support. The evening was sponsored by Ringrose Law

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High Society

Small Saints School PTA Ball Holbeachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Small Saints School recently held a fundraising ball in Holbeach to promote its PTA activities. Small Saints Pre-School is a charity based non-profit making organisation with an aim to give its children the best start possible to their education Images: Veena Cornish.

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High Society

Horncastle Lions Charter Night The Horncastle chapter of fundraising organisation the Lions recently held its 33rd Charter Dinner at Horncastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Admiral Rodney Images: Phil Nix.

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High Society

St Barnabas Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day at the Petwood Hotel St Barnabas Hospice recently held its fundraising ladies days at the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa. The charity supports the terminally ill and their families through active charity fundraising Images: Phil Nix.

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High Society

Lincoln High Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charity Dinner The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr John Godfrey CBE, hosted a dinner at the Epic Centre to raise money for the High Sheriff's Fund. After dinner speakers were the Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Dr John Saxbee and CLA President William Worsley

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Hitting the Right Note – Diva Lesley Garrett CBE Soprano Lesley Garrett hits the right note every time, perhaps due to a positive outlook on life and an appreciation for all that Lincolnshire has to offer. In an exclusive interview, we find out about the diva’s recent one-off fundraising performance in Boston’s St Botolph’s Church!

Rediscover Lincolnshire’s history... it’s a fascinating county!

Were you born and raised in Lincolnshire? I actually live just on the borders of Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire, in Epworth. I was born six miles away in Thorne, near Doncaster, but my GP husband of 20 years, Peter, comes from West Pinchbeck near Spalding, so we know South Lincolnshire very well and frequently return to the county to visit his family. What do you do and what inspires you most about your job? I feel music is all about communicating, and I’m most inspired when I’m able to reach people through the wonder of song. Music, particularly singing, can really help us all reach our most hidden emotions. As Peter’s family’s farm is in Lincolnshire we recently visited Boston Stump. I was overwhelmed by its size and beauty, and touched by the community’s fundraising efforts. It seems to be a place for everyone to enjoy — just as a church should be — and seeing what an overwhelming job it is to maintain and develop it, I agreed to put on a charity concert, working alongside the church’s excellent Eric Wayman, the recently retired choirmaster & organist and conductor of the Cantemus Chamber Choir. It was attended by 1,200 people and was a wonderful night, with my usual costume changes at the adjacent vicarage and, consequently, several dashes up the aisle! The weather was filthy but that didn’t matter, we provided a mixture of baroque, opera, and show tunes that were really helped by the wonderful acoustics. I was really excited to be involved and received a lovely letter from Revd Robin Whitehead after the event. Which is your favourite area of Lincolnshire and why? I love the drive into Lincolnshire from South Yorkshire down to Spalding. I also adore the Wolds; such beautiful scenery! What are your most vehemently held likes and dislikes? I have many likes, from spending time with family — we live just five miles away from my mum and dad — to enjoying good food and travel. I also really enjoy politics — the new coalition government is a real challenge for UK politics, and we have interesting times ahead as Ed Milliband, our new Labour leader, finds his feet. My only real dislike is bigotry and prejudice. How do you spend your spare time? I enjoy spending time with family and friends — my father celebrated his 80th birthday last year and my mother will reach the same milestone next year. Next year will also be my 20th wedding anniversary, and this year is the 30th anniversary of my becoming a professional singer.... so there’s going to be a lot of champagne corks popping over the next year! I also enjoy gardening. I love growing flowers and would very much like to create my own kitchen garden. Whereabouts in the county should our readers go to relax? My tip would be to encourage people to rediscover Lincolnshire’s history. It’s a fascinating county and, in particular, it has so many lovely churches. We enjoy Lincoln Cathedral — I’ve performed there too — and find Stamford’s Burghley House fascinating as well. Name your favourite book, movie and music? I love Luke Reinhart’s Dice Man. It’s allegorical, mostly about fate, really fascinating. My favourite films are the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each is wonderfully faithful to the book, and the scenery is breathtaking — seeing my children’s faces light up when they watch them is wonderful! As for music, well, there’s so much to choose from, but I’ll identify One Fine Day from Madame Butterfly by Puccini. I’ve performed this aria many times, and it still moves me. I also love My Fair Lady; I first performed this wonderful score at school at 16; it was then I realised that singing was my calling. The next time was at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles 20 years later! What will your epitaph read? My mum — a Yorkshire lass — has a great expression; ‘Spit on your hands and take a fresh hold’ which I guess means be determined, and ‘get on with it!’ I’d like to think that anyone who knows me would identify this as a suitable epitaph! Finally… tell us something good! It’s Christmas, and Christmas is a time for families, so enjoy yourself! I Lesley will also be performing at Peterborough Cathedral on 16th July 2011. Tickets are on sale now, see www.lesleygarrett.co.uk for details.

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