Rutland Pride by Whitespace Publishers

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RutlandPride T H E

H I G H

S O C I E T Y

M A G A Z I N E

COVERING RUTLAND, STAMFORD & THE REST OF LINCOLNSHIRE

RutlandPride - The High Society Magazine – April 2012

Rutland Society

April 2012 - £3.70

HOMES AND GARDENS

COUNTY RESTAURANTS

HIGH SOCIETY EVENTS

County Properties

Luxury Dining

Exclusive Coverage

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38/39 Stodman Street, Newark, NG24 1AW Tel:01636 679638 Email: enquiries@andrewmichaels.co.uk

The benchmark selfwinding chronograph. Officially chronometer-certified by the COSC.

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Welcome...

...to the first edition of Rutland Pride, a celebratory launch edition which aims to bring an established county magazine brand to the Rutland and Stamford area.

For over 10 years we have been producing Lincolnshire Pride, the High Society magazine. We’re delighted the Pride Magazines brand continues to go from strength to strength and look forward to replicating our success for readers in the Rutland area too. In this edition, we take a look at the county’s most desirable homes and celebrate the best Rutland produce in a local food & drink section which this month spans 18 pages. We are always looking for feature ideas, local news and High Society events — so if you’d like to get in touch, please email or telephone our editorial team using the details opposite. We hope you enjoy our debut issue and look forward to bringing you the very best from Rutland and Stamford every month! ANNA MORRISH EDITOR

36 EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROB DAVIS RUTLAND PRIDE EDITOR ANNA MORRISH GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANDY BRAY RUTLAND PRIDE SALES MANAGER ZOIE WILKINSON SALES EXECUTIVE ANNA WOOSTER ACCOUNTS MANAGER SUE BANNISTER GENERAL MANAGER IAN BAGLEY PUBLISHER JULIAN WILKINSON

14 HIGH SOCIETY IN RUTLAND 18 EATING OUT 30 HEALTHY EATING 35 FINE WINE 36 HOMES AND GARDENS 56 GARDENING 76 NATURAL PRINT FASHIONS 88 SHOES, BAGS, JEWELLERY 96 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT 105 THE WEDDING ALBUM 110 COUNTY WEDDINGS 114 RUTLAND GOLF 123 COUNTY MOTORING 130 AND FINALLY WRITE TO US AT Rutland Pride Magazine, Whitespace Publishers Ltd, Elm Grange Studios, East Heckington, Boston, Lincolnshire PE20 3QF. Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978. Web: www.rutlandpride.co.uk. Email: features@pridemagazines.co.uk. By placing an advertisement in Rutland Pride you are agreeing to our full terms and conditions, which can be found on our website.

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WITH OVER 150 YEARS OF COMBINED MARKETING EXPERIENCE, WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS...

•

Ian Bagley, General Manager: With 26 years experience managing blue chip IT infrastructures and a diploma in computer studies, Ian’s DTI award for Innovation helps bring cutting edge technology to the Pride Magazines brand.

Zoie Wilkinson, Rutland Pride Sales Manager: With 14 years experience in regional media Zoie knows the client comes first. She brings exceptional customer care and local knowledge to our magazine portfolio.

• • •

• Rob Davis, Executive Editor: With a first class honours degree in Media Studies and over 15 years experience as an Editor, Rob’s photography, writing and page design skills combine to create a magazine of unparalleled excellence.

RutlandPride T H E

H I G H

S O C I E T Y

M A G A Z I N E

Charlotte Aiken,

Mandy Bray,

Online Account Manager:

Graphic Designer:

Combining the latest technology and the highest standards in customer service, Charlotte introduced our iPad & iPhone apps and website to the Pride brand.

Attention to detail and accuracy are just two of the traits our creative graphic designer has in her armoury, along with 28 years of print, design and marketing experience.

COVERING RUTLAND, STAMFORD & THE REST OF LINCOLNSHIRE

Rutland Society

April 2012 - £3.70

HOMES AND GARDENS

COUNTY RESTAURANTS

HIGH SOCIETY EVENTS

County Properties

Luxury Dining

Exclusive Coverage

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01529 469977 OR VISIT WWW.RUTLANDPRIDE.CO.UK

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TeamRutlandPride Katie Lynch,

Julian Wilkinson, Managing Director and Publisher:

After Sales:

With 27 years of experience in regional magazine publishing, printing and design, and after a decade producing Lincolnshire’s highest quality magazine, Julian feels the time is right to expand our high quality brand into other areas, beginning with Rutland. In doing so, he continues to follow his favourite motto, from Victorian writer and art critic, John Ruskin; ‘Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.’

A young, dynamic professional keen to ensure a continuity of care throughout your campaign, with six years experience in customer liaison.

•

• •

•

• Emily Brown,

Anna Wooster,

Anna Morrish,

Sales Representative:

Sales Executive:

Rutland Pride Editor:

Nurturing young talent is something we at Pride Magazines value highly. Bright and enthusiastic Emily has cut her teeth with us to develop outstanding customer skills.

Professional, with a flair for business and a talent for ensuring customers get real results from their campaigns, Anna has five years experience with Pride Magazines.

With a first class honours degree in Creative Writing, Anna is responsible for Rutland Pride’s exciting editorial content, lively pages and quality photographs.

RutlandPride THE HIGH SOCIETY MAGAZINE

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PARK HOUSE, STAMFORD

£1,595,000

Set in enviable location located opposite the grounds of Burghley House & Golf Club, the property offers generous and well presented accommodation which offers versatility to suit any potential purchaser. The living accommodation is set over three floors and briefly comprises of 7 reception rooms and 8 bedrooms of which 5 are en suite. There is also a indoor heated swimming pool ,sauna and 45ft conservatory.

TC S D

18 HIGH STREET, EASTON ON THE HILL

£729,000

Grade II listed character cottage which is set in the heart of a popular village. The present owners have much improved the property in recent years to offer a versatile property that suits any potential purchaser’s requirements. The accommodation briefly comprises of 3 reception rooms, Master bedroom with en suite bathroom & 3 further bedrooms. The property also comes with full planning permission to increase the living accommodation

Fine & Country 2 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DE Telephone: (01780) 750200 Email: stamford@fineandcounty.com www.fineandcountry.com

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TIXOVER LODGE, TIXOVER

£1,375,000

This property’s design makes the most of its elevated position overlooking the Welland Valley: there is a magnificent centrally placed Conservatory & dual aspect windows in many of the rooms. Internally the property has been finished to the highest standard with solid oak doors and pediments, and double-glazing throughout and offers extensive and well-equipped accommodation. The landscaped gardens are mostly laid to lawn.

BEECH HOUSE, WESTON HILLS

£475,000

Grade II listed detached Georgian property which originally dates back from 1785. Set back from the road behind mature trees & electric gates the property benefits from a high degree of privacy. The property has been extended over the years to offer a deceptively spacious family home. The present owners have completely renovated the property retaining many of the original features whilst also adding modern features.

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THE OLD RECTORY, RIDLINGTON

Guide Price £2,500,000

An Outstanding Former Rectory Listed Grade II Set to the Edge of the Village and Presented to a High Standard

• Reception Hall, Drawing Room

• Detached traditional garaging, Coach House

• Dining Room, Sitting Room, Garden Room

• Hard Tennis Court, Swimming Pool

• Kitchen Breakfast Room, Games Room

• Formal Gardens, Kitchen Garden

• 8 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, Cellar

• Pastureland, In all about 7.4 acres (2.99 Ha)

King West St Marys Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DE Telephone: (01780) 484520 email: stamford@kingwest.co.uk www.kingwest.co.uk

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THE GATEHOUSE, TOLETHORPE

Guide Pride ÂŁ1,350,000

A unique former gatehouse dating from medieval times in an idyllic setting, The Gatehouse is situated to the rear of Tolethorpe Hall, in a very private location, in an area of great beauty, set within magnificent mature gardens and grounds of approximately 2.93 acres or thereabouts, including a grass paddock of just under 1 acre.

CHAPEL END, BARROW

Guide Pride ÂŁ995,000

Situated on the edge of the village of Barrow with breathtaking views across the Vale of Catmose. The village of Cottesmore is close by with a number of local facilities including a public house, village shop, parish church & garage. The market town of Oakham is a short distance away and provides excellent everyday shopping facilities. More extensive commercial facilities are available in the regional centres of Grantham, Melton Mowbray & Nottingham.

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WOTHORPE

£359,995

EASTON ON THE HILL

£410,000

This attractive period Villa residence retains many original features and is set in the sought after area of Second Drift, Wothorpe. The property is set over three floors with open country views to the front and accommodation.

Established family home situated in a non estate position within a sought after village, offering versatile living accommodation. Four reception rooms, 4/5 bedrooms including master suite with dressing room & en-suite bathroom, block paved driveway & double garage.

TALLINGTON

TINWELL

£425,000

£495,000

Detached family home built to a high standard approximately four years ago by Hereward Homes, situated in a tucked away position and captures uninterrupted country views. Two reception rooms, four bedrooms, gated driveway and double garage

Bay House is set in an elevated position approached by a sweeping drive on the edge of Stamford town. The property offers four bedrooms captures open country views to the front and rear elevation and offers an excellent home for the family buyer.

HELPSTON

RYHALL

£535,000

Virginia Cottage, a five bedroom Grade II Listed stone family home set in the heart of the village under a pantile roof with many original features being retained including exposed beams and inglenook fireplace. Mature walled gardens.

Knight Partnership 3 Red Lion Street, Stamford Lincolnshire PE9 1PA Telephone: (01780) 765060 www.knightpartnership.com

Guide £649,950

An opportunity to acquire a quality stone built family home set down a private drive and siding onto open countryside within this Rutland village. Four reception rooms, four bedrooms, 2 en- suite and family bathroom. Established gardens and double garage.

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LANGHAM

£1950 PCM

BASTON

£1850 PCM

A spacious & luxurious apartment. Large entrance hall, high specification kitchen, study, dining room & games room, large split level lounge, master suite comprising: Large double bedroom, dressing room and luxury bathroom. Three further bedrooms and bathroom.

Superbly presented bungalow in a sougth after village. Large open plan kitchen dining/living room, utility room and Two further reception rooms. Four large bedrooms all with en-suites, double garage and ample driveway parking for several vehicles.

EMPINGHAM

AILSWORTH

£1295 PCM

£1095 PCM

Substantial detached family home. Large kitchen/breakfast room, Two reception rooms and four bedrooms. Detached garage, carport and ample parking for several vehicles, good sized rear garens offering open views across the countryside.

Beautifully presented property in the sought after village of Ailsworth. Large lounge, kitchen/diner, Four bedrooms the master have en-suite facilities and family bathroom. To the rear of the property is a medium size enclosed garden with hot tub, single garage & driveway parking.

BASTON

WATER NEWTON

£995 PCM

Beautifully presented family home in the sought after village of Baston. Two reception rooms, kitchen and utility, Four double bedrooms the master with en-suite facilities and family bathroom. The property also benefits from a private rear garden and garaging for two cars.

£675 PCM

This beautiful, fully furnished cottage full of original features is situated close to the River Nene. The accommodation comprises:- open plan lounge/kitchen with all appliances, two double bedrooms with vaulted ceilings and bathroom. This property is inclusive of all utility bills.

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CLOSE-UP MAGIC FOR YOUR HIGH SOCIETY EVENT... Give your High Society event, corporate event, wedding or private party a touch of magic with Darren Kidby, experienced close-up magician and member of the Magic Circle...

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High Society

Oakham School Vivaldi Concert A wonderful performance of music by Vivaldi was staged recently in The Great Hall at Burghley House. Pupils from 14-18 performed, watched by around 150 proud parents... Images: Anna Morrish and Rob Davis.

CALL MAGICIAN DARREN KIDBY ON 07977 269 152 or see www.DarrenKidby.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and find out more about one of the most entertaining & experienced close-up magicians in the UK today...

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Only

PrideMagazines THE HIGH SOCIETY MAGAZINES

ÂŁ10+VA8"

for a 10"x

d print, delivere free of charge to your home.

THIS IS JUST A SELECTION OF IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT... Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk to view and purchase hard copies of photographs from all of our events using our easy, secure online system...

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Find us in the

ENJOY PRIDE MAGAZINE’S DIGITAL EDITIONS To supplement your printed magazine, we’re now available on iPhone and iPad too. Search for Pride Magazines in the iTunes App Store and download Pride Magazines...

s iTune Store! App

PrideMagazines THE HIGH SOCIETY MAGAZINES

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Food&Drink

Quirky Luxury... A £1m restoration of one of Stamford’s most beautiful coaching inns is paying off, as the William Cecil’s first six months have been met with huge praise. This month, we recommend trying one of the area’s newest, most quirky and stylish restaurants, situated next to the historic Burghley House estate from which its identity is derived... Words & Photos: Rob Davis.

STAMFORD IS CERTAINLY BEAUTIFUL. The old limestone town with the Welland trickling through has successfully resisted modern architecture and multinational retailers, to leave behind a great looking town full of thriving independent businesses. It is also home to a number of restaurants, some of which are truly exceptional. The latest example is the newly refurbished William Cecil... and we think it’s set to gain a reputation as one of the town’s best restaurants, despite reopening just over six months ago. The venue is the sixth addition to Hillbrooke Hotels’s portfolio of quality pub restaurants and coaching inns. A further presence in Stamford is the Bull & Swan, just down the road from its newest acquisition. The William Cecil is a larger project and represents the company’s flagship venue in the area. The Grade II* listed William Cecil has 27 rooms, all beautifully — and individually — designed, as well as two dining rooms, three function rooms, spacious bar and a comfortable orangery.

Refurbished beautifully, after a

£1m investment, the William Cecil is already establishing itself as one of the best restaurants in Stamford...

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Main: Fish Plate; Crab Bonbon, Branchester Oyster and Scottish Smoked Salmon.

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Food&Drink

“We have some really great ideas for Spring dining and some

really good local ingredients to call upon, so we’re looking forward to the next couple of months!” says Nick Jefford... “It’s important to create somewhere that looks good, somewhere that offers quality.” says the venue’s General Manager, Nick Jefford, “But more important than this was the creation of somewhere that was accessible to all.” “The company’s slogan is ‘quirky luxury,’ and that’s what we’ve aimed to create here. We believe that high standards of dining and professional service doesn’t necessarily need to take place in an environment that’s formal. We want to create a warm place to dine that’s comfortable and enjoyable for all and never feels stuffy.” The two dining rooms are particularly well appointed, with soaring ceilings and large print foil wallpaper creating a sense of space. Varnished original floorboards, heavy traditionally carved chairs and grand fireplaces all create a cosy feel. The smaller of the two dining rooms also features wood panelling which is continued inbetween tables to create separate, enclosed dining spaces. This allows the restaurant to retain its ability to cater for its 75 covers whilst at the same time affording customers their own ‘rooms,’ creating an intimate, environment which is plush and comfortable. The à la carte menu is served in each dining room, and in the bar. The latter also has a further bar menu comprising nibbles, quick bites from olives to open sandwiches, sharing slates (charcuterie, fish and ploughmans) and fish & chips. The Nibbles & Starters section is nine dishes strong, ranging from Hambleton bakery Sour Dough breads and bowls of olives to Thornham Oysters, Smoked Duck Salad and Smoked Haddock. A choice of six main courses follows, from Rump of Lamb served with White Beans, Wild Mushrooms, Creamed Potato & Tarragon, to Roasted Pork Belly, with Buttered Kale, Parsnip & Apple Purée, and Fish & Chips. A further steak section provides rump and ribeye steaks and a monster 20oz chateaubriand option. Each of these is available with a choice of four sauces and five side dishes.

A choice of five puddings includes zesty options. These include Passion Fruit & Lemon Posset, a daily-changing Crèmé Brulée, Warm Apple Crumble, or the intriguing Meringue Mont Blanc served with Chestnut Purée & Dark Chocolate Sorbet. A local cheese board created by Stamford’s Cheese Cellar is also available with one, three or five cheeses. Our featured dessert was Assiette of Chocolate, rich, dark, with a couple of quenelles of home made sorbet — perfectly designed for two to share! Sunday lunch at the restaurant is offered at a reasonable £19 for two courses, or £24.50 for three. A choice of three starters, four main course options and four puddings are available, but our recommendation would be the Roasting Pot — designed to feed a family of four or six for £45 and £65 respectively. These are prepared to order in around half an hour so families can spend some time together over some nibbles beforehand. Executive Chef Neil Dowson has been in post since the new restaurant was established, and has set up Hillbrooke Hotels’s other kitchens and menus. In doing so, Neil has established an excellent working relationship with local suppliers from Cote Hill to Hambleton Bakery and Grasmere Farm for the venue’s pork. The latter supplements pork from The William Cecil’s nine saddlebacks reared in woodland adjacent to the car park. Other suppliers include Stiltons of Peterborough for its butchery, Coles of King’s Lynn for its fish and local bakery Mimosa for its afternoon teas. Mimosa also supplies the elements of the William Cecil’s afternoon teas and cream teas served alongside tea pigs and home made biscuits. To accompany, a choice of 11 white and red wines each, a couple of rosés, and four champagnes. Flagships are a Pouilly Fuisse at £43, Haut MedocChâteau Bernadotte at £43 and Cristal at £220, with two champagnes available by the glass and a Sauternes dessert wine; the menu is robust but accessible too, with house wines from just £17.

Main: An assiette of chocolate for two people to share.

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i Just over six months into its refurbishment and with beautiful architecture, quirky but lavish decoration, exceptional food and attentive service, The William Cecil will absolutely become one of Stamford’s smartest and most comfortable restaurants. “We’ve had some amazing feedback so far.” says Nick. “We’ve had a really busy season which has been encouraging, but we’re really looking forward to the next few months.” “We’ve got a great Spring menu, and some really good local ingredients to call upon.” “Our aim is to provide simple, fresh, seasonal food, not complicated, but very tasty. We’re not interested in creating a pretentious environment, just a comfortable and happy one for our customers! n

The William Cecil, St Martins, Stamford Food: Fresh, seasonal food — uncomplicated and enjoyable. Environment: Newly refurbished to the tune of £1m, a Grade II* listed hotel, having opened in July 2011. Comfortable and light orangery, sophisticated bar and two wood panelled restaurants. Menus: À la carte restaurant, with starters from £6-£8.75, main courses from £13-£17, steaks from £17 and puddings £7. Sunday lunch menu with two and three courses £19 and £24.50. Separate afternoon tea and bar menus. Don’t Miss: ‘Roasting Pot’ Sunday lunches for four or six £45/£65. Superbly comfortable bedrooms reflecting the company’s provision of ‘quirky luxury.’ Contact: The William Cecil at Stamford, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ. Telephone 01780 750070 or see www.williamcecil.co.uk.

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RECIPE BY RACHEL GREEN

PEA AND ROASTED

GARLIC

SOUP

WITH SEASONED GARLIC CROUTON Serves 4 4 heads of garlic 2 tbsp olive oil 50g butter 2 onions, peeled and roughly chopped 1 kg frozen peas 1 litre vegetable stock To serve: 55g crème fraiche 1 tbsp chives, finely chopped

There’s nothing quite like a spring soup, and this example combines a strong, rich garlic flavour with the convenience of frozen peas - preferably those grown in Rutland throughout the summer and stored in the freezer! This recipe is simplicity itself, making it a convenient starter for dinner parties that you can prepare in advance, an ideal amuse bouche or a chilled summer in-between course when prepared with mint. It looks great in cups or glasses rather than bowls and has a strong colour that really makes a statement against white china. Preheat the oven to 180˚C/350˚F/Gas Mark 4. Cut the heads of garlic in half horizontally and drizzle with the olive oil. Wrap in foil and place on a baking sheet. Roast the garlic for 40 minutes, until completely soft. Melt the butter in a large saucepan, and add the onions. Cover and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the frozen peas and stir so that the peas are coated in the butter and onion mixture.

Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for five minutes. Remove the garlic from the oven and, when cool enough to handle, squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves into the pan. Puree with a hand blender and season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Serve the soup with a spoonful of crème fraiche, garnished with a few chopped chives. To create a croutons to be served alongside your soup, take slices of bread and brush each side with extra virgin olive oil containing a crushed garlic clove. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp of salt and finely grated parmesan, and bake in the pre-heated oven until brown. Once baked, allow to cool and use a heart design cooking cutter from a professional cookship to cook canapé-sized croutons which can be arranged on the side of your plates or be placed on your créme fraiche blob according to their size.

Rachel Green’s book is available from all good county bookshops.

With all that lovely rich garlic, it’s a good idea to have some parsley handy! n

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Spring Water

The best things in life are free... free, that is, from alcohol and preservatives. Belvoir Fruit Farms on the border of Rutland and Leicestershire is gearing up for its busiest season of the year... MANY COMPANIES these days try to trade on the basis of their environmental or natural credentials. But one company that can judiciously claim to have retained the ethics and the integrity of their products is the 2,000 acre Belvoir Fruit Farms estate, in the shadow of Belvoir Castle. The company produces six million bottles each year on the farm, which is family owned and run by Pev Manners, son of John Manners, first Duke of Rutland. Next month the elderflower season will be in full flow, which means hand-picking the 100 acres of flowers that are harvested freshly each day. Within just three hours, put into huge vats, ready to be turned into the company’s popular elderflower pressés and cordials.

popular, the company’s Raspberry & Lemon and Organic Lemon launched in March are set to prove a delicious alternative. The company also has a range of 12 sparkling pressés, including new Lemonade with Orange Blossom and English Apple — plus four organic versions; Elderflower, Ginger Beer, Lemonade and Orange & Mandarin. The big news, however, is the new still drinks that Belvoir will launch this month, with Elderflower, Raspberry & Lemon, Apple and Blackcurrant & Apple varieties available. “The new range is delicious!” says Pev. “Together with our organic ranges, they reaffirm our commitment to natural ingredients, ethical and local production, and high quality!”

Refreshing and delicious Belvoir’s fruit drinks are natural, healthy and now available as a range of fruit stills...

“The farm was originally owned by my father, Lord John Manners.” says Pev. “He ran a grass-drying business working symbiotically with the RAF during the war, cutting grass to sell on as animal feed... he was a serial entrepreneur!”

Diversifying into fruit growing, Pev’s mother used to create a home-made cordial from the family’s elderflower hedgerows. When the company launched its elderflower cordial commercially, and subsequently, its sparkling elderflower pressé, its popularity surged. Now the farm is a national brand stocked by supermarkets and farm shops as well as bars and restaurants across the UK. Today, the company stocks 12 flavours of cordial, which can be diluted to taste. Though elderflower remains the most

The drinks taste absolutely phenomenal, a world away from industrially produced cordials and sugary drinks. The attention to detail that goes into maintaining quality is impressive.

The company presses its fruit, picks its flowers by hand and even cooks its own ginger, lemongrass and spices on the farm. Last year the company experienced a 38% increase in sales, and with a long hot summer ahead, more customers than ever this year will be looking to Belvoir Fruit Farms to provide essential summer refreshment! n Stockists include selected supermarkets such as Waitrose, Sainsburys, Asda and regional Tesco, along with all good farm shops. It’s also available online at www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk or by calling 01476 870286.

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Elderflower Cheesecake A refreshing spring and summer drink, but the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular elderflower cordial can also be used to create a tangy and delicious dessert... Serves 6 3/4 large pack Digestive biscuits 90g butter 60g sugar 360g full fat cream cheese 160ml double cream, lightly whipped Icing sugar to taste 1 lime 1 lemon Zest 2tbs Belvoir Elderflower Cordial Place the digestive biscuits in a large plastic bag. Hold one end of the bag and using a rolling pin, crush until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the crushed biscuits and sugar until they are fully combined. Press the biscuit mixture firmly into an eight inch round tin with a lift up base and place in the fridge to set. Wash the lemon and grate the skin using a fine grater or use a zester. Place this zest together with the cream cheese, icing sugar and lime juice in a food processor and mix well. Then slowly add the cream and elderflower cordial until it is a smooth thick paste. Spread this mixture on the biscuit base and refrigerate. Just before serving, sprinkle the cheesecake with the zest of the lime and place twisted slices of lime round the edges to decorate. n

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Food&Drink

Time for Tea... From afternoon tea to à la carte dining. No matter what the occasion, we’re delighted to introduce Barnsdale Lodge as this month’s recommended Eating Out venue — a country house hotel and restaurant with a warm welcome and excellent dining!

Words & Photos: Rob Davis.

A GREAT DISCOVERY this month as a cancelled appointment led me to spend a little time at Barnsdale Lodge, just a stone’s throw from Rutland Water in Exton, near Stamford. Due to investigate the venue’s à la carte dining provision, but turning up early, I opted for afternoon tea beforehand... it turned out to be a terrific discovery! Pride has been well aware of Barnsdale’s excellent credentials as a restaurant for a number of years. But with the arrival of a new Head Chef Steven Conway, revamped afternoon tea and lunchtime dining provision at the restaurant proved to be just as good as full à la carte dining — which is really saying something. For the uninitiated, Barnsdale Lodge is a 44 bedroom country house hotel with modern branding but the style and comfort of a traditional boutique hotel. Quite simply, the hotel promises one of the warmest welcomes in the area, and I will always

Stunning surroundings combined

with a warm welcome and excellent dining provision whether you’re stopping by for afternoon tea or enjoying à la carte dining...

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Main Image: Sea Bass with Red Pepper Coulis.

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Food&Drink

“Superb dining, a welcoming environment and a number of

options in terms of menus and dining rooms provides a great choice. Barnsdale Lodge is warm, eclectic and wonderful...!” remember my first impression at Barnsdale Lodge upon meeting Managing Director Ed Burrows and General Manager Paul Freeman. Whilst a businessman staying at the hotel was tapping away at a laptop, a gentleman with a muddy springer spaniel and wellies walked in and sat at the adjacent table. “That’s what Barnsdale Lodge is all about.” said Paul. “Customers are welcome whether they’ve been enjoying spending time around the reservoir and walk in dressed in their casuals, or if they’re businesspeople staying at the hotel dressed in suits and ties. The welcome will be the same, and they’ll both enjoy the same great service.” Visiting the venue on subsequent occasions, this philosophy has been proven again and again, and it’s one of the reasons many regulars hold the venue in such warm regard.

A table d’hôte option is also available during lunchtime service with three starters, main courses and desserts respectively, and a price of just £13.50 or £14.95 for two or three courses. Evening service from 7.00pm-9.30pm provides a choice of eight starters, and two special starters, eight main courses plus two special main courses. À la carte dining also provides the availability of two house cocktails, and two ‘wines of the moment.’ Local suppliers drench the menu in provenance and provide a real insight into the area’s local food culture. Hambleton farmed beef is supplied by Andrew and Jill Nelson, whilst Hambleton Bakery provides artisan bread for each of the menus and Grasmere Pork provides locally reared pork and sausages. Trout is, of course, line-caught from the adjacent water!

Another reason, however, is the quality of dining at the hotel, which betters many standalone restaurants, especially following Steven’s appointment.

Local cheeses from Rutland and Lincolnshire appear on the cheese board, whilst vegetables are either sourced from local farmers or are grown in Barnsdale Lodge’s own kitchen garden.

The former Stapleford Park head chef came to Barnsdale Lodge 14 months ago and set about maintaining the precedent of high quality dining, improving provision for diners where possible.

April will see the hotel enjoying salads with herbs, potatoes and leeks, cauliflowers and the first of the season’s soft fruit.

Our afternoon tea consisted of four types of finger sandwiches, hand-made pastries and freshly baked bread from Hambleton Bakery on a tiered stand. Even the tea offered is an individual blend unique to Barnsdale called Mountain Gray and described by the venue’s owner Thomas Noel as “Refreshing, invigorating and a bit special.” If afternoon tea was a treat, lunchtime dining at Barnsdale Lodge is also something special indeed. With four starters, four full main courses plus six ‘lighter alternatives,’ myriad side orders and three desserts, certainly there’s plenty of choice. Our recommendation would be the Barnsdale Lodge Eggs Benedict; toasted muffins with poached eggs from the hotel’s own free range hens.

The hotel also has 15 chickens and three ducks, plus a herd of nine Highland cattle and three beehives from which Steven is expecting his first batch of Barnsdale honey very soon. Our visit took place on the eve of Barnsdale Lodge launching its new spring menu. “We really look forward to the spring season as a kitchen.” says Steven. “I love the relaxed formality of Barnsdale Lodge and in the spring we really have the best ingredients available to us.” The next few months are also when the hotel’s large courtyard looks its best. Al fresco dining is a pleasure but indoors, a light and pretty conservatory makes a delightful alternative, especially in the evening when

Main: Dark Chocolate Torte with Strawberry Sword and Strawberry Ice Cream.

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i fairylights, flagstones and candles with easy listening music all combine to create an eclectic, and welcoming environment. Two private dining rooms are available during both daytime and evening service, or for business trade and there’s also a cosy snug. The hotel’s main dining room features soaring ceilings, grand window dressings and artwork by Jack Vettriano, offering a plush but comfortable place to dine. With plenty to keep families entertained around Rutland Water, wonderful shopping in nearby Oakham & Stamford and high quality dining, Barnsdale Lodge is certainly a good option for those looking to spend time in the area. Whether you’re seeking afternoon tea, or full blown à la carte dining, there are few places that can match the warm welcome of Barnsdale Lodge and fewer still that can ensure the service is matched by such a high standard of dining. n

Barnsdale Lodge, Rutland Food: Modern English with continental influences and local ingredients. Environment: 44 bedroom hotel with conservatory and courtyard, formal dining room and two private dining rooms. Menus: Dedicated lunchtime and evening à la carte menus. Luncheon and Sunday lunch menus. Afternoon tea menu and children’s menu. Prices: Afternoon tea £12.50. Lunchtime starters around £5.50, main courses around £12.95, desserts around £5.50. À la carte evening starters around £6.95, main courses around £14.95, puddings around £5.50. Sunday lunch £19.95/three courses. Don’t Miss: The hotel’s afternoon tea is a real treat, thanks to home made cakes and local artisan bread, plus an exclusive blend of tea created just for Barnsdale Lodge. Contact: Barnsdale Lodge, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AH. Telephone: 01572 724678. Website: www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

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Food&Drink

Good Health... Meals that taste fantastic donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to take their toll on your figure... this month we ask the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best chefs to prepare dishes that are both delicious and healthy! Words: Rob Davis.

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Main: Hambleton Panacotta of Garden Rocket with Parmesan & Hazelnuts at Hambleton Hall, Hambleton. 1: Tuna Steak on Mediterranean Vegetables and Wilted Spinach with a Provençal Sauce at The Mill, Boston. 2: Chilled, Organically Fed Ballotine of Salmon, Poached King Prawn, Caviar and Mascarpone at Forest Pines, Brigg. 3: Teriyaki Salmon, Asian Slaw, Sesame Tuille at Belton Woods, Grantham. 4: Seared Tuna with Prawn Bon Bons, Moules Mariniére and Saffron Cream at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. 5: Roasted Salmon and Moroccan Cous Cous at the Lord Nelson, Winthorpe. 6: Sea Bass with Crevettes and Confit Tomatoes at Café Zoot, Lincoln. n

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7. Warm Salad of chicken strips, smoked bacon, avocado, spinach, cherry tomatoes and red onion and chilli at The George Hotel of Stamford.

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Food&Drink

10.

11.

Mark Thackwell Head Chef at De Vere Belton Woods near Grantham

12.

13.

How did your career begin? I trained at Leeds College and worked in a French bistro before returning to the area in 2006. I have worked at Belton Woods for about three and a half years now and I love it! The challenge of producing everything from banquet dining to à la carte dining is brilliant! Which foods are your respective food heaven and food hell? I’m glad we’ve moved into spring. We all love working with fresh ingredients, and we’re really well served around here. There’s a really good food community so my food heaven is any dish that respects and makes the best of fresh ingredients. What’s the secret to creating a great dining experience? Good food is nothing without good service, it’s really important that the kitchen works well with front of house. Our Sunday family-style carvery dining sees Mandy Baxter, a ‘Belton Gem’ really come into her own.

8: Seafood Platter at The Old Stables, Horncastle. 9: Prawn Salad at The Red Lion, Caythorpe. 10: Seared Steak with Smoked Bacon and Beetroot Salad with Horseradish Sauce and Créme Fraiche at Stallingborough Grange near Grimsby. 11: Trio of Marinated Herring with Beetroot and Apple Salad at the Red Lion, Market Rasen. 12: Ballotine of Prawns and Crab Meat at The Finch Hatton, Ewerby. 13: Steamed Sea Bass with Fragrant Rice and Pak Choi at The Tally Ho Inn, Aswarby. n

The food is great but her regulars really have come to know and love her as well. She’s a real personality and that helps to make the dining experience even better! n For more information on Belton Woods or for bookings call 01476 593200 or see www.devere-hotels.co.uk.

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A SCENT OF SPRING Spring is here and something fresh and crisp is in the air... this month wine expert Ben Straw recommends aromatic wines to refresh the palate and ensure all of your senses are sufficiently stimulated...

The style of wine originates from the grape varietals themselves. The flavour profile is built into the particular vitis vinifera species’ DNA structure. If you get the opportunity, try a German Mosel Riesling alongside an Australian Clare Valley one and you’ll start to see what I mean! An aromatic wine presents itself in the glass with an abundance of pronounced aromas. This might show as citrus and stone fruit with a waxy, petrol quality if you’re trying Riesling or an exotic mish-mash of lychee, honeysuckle and rose petals if Gewurztraminer is your tipple of choice. Here are a few of my favourites, enjoy! n

Hope Estate Verdelho, Hunter notes of citrus and passionfruit leading Valley, Australia - £10.25 to a crisp and clean finish. The Verdelho grape, originally Saint Clair Riesling, from Portugal, was first used in Marlborough, New the Hunter Valley for making Zealand - £12.50 Aromatic fortified wine. Now used for Made by renowned Kiwi wines from table wine it’s a real winner. winemaker Matt Thompson, £10.25 to An unoaked wine with fresh, this spätlese-style Riesling rich, tropical and spice char£27.95! has bright citrus aromas of acters, a great alternative to sweet lime and mandarin, with Chardonnay. subtle hints of fresh spring flowers. Esk Valley Verdelho, Hawkes Gustave Lorentz Gewurztraminer Bay, New Zealand - £10.99 Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim Established, as Glenvale, in Alsace, France - £27.95 1933. It was purchased, and renamed, The vines are old – between 30 and 50 by Villa Maria in 1986. This Verdelho is years – and are hand-picked. It sits in highly aromatic and an intensely vats for around 10-11 months prior to flavourful dry wine with a nectarine-like bottling. It has the potential to age fleshy mouth-feel balanced by fresher from seven to ten years. Shows a straw yellow colour, with richly-concentrated nose of exotic fruit and botrytis. The nose follows through to the palate, with powerful and complex flavours, verging on the dry side, but with a roundness and a very long, semi-dry finish. Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia - £16.50 One of the cornerstones of Kilikanoon’s portfolio, with the first vintage in 1997, the Mort’s Block Riesling showcases the unique flavours and characters unique to the Watervale sub-region of the Clare Valley. Aromatic and overt, the nose is a riot of lemons and limes, florals and delicate perfumes. The palate combines generous lemon and lime flavours with a fresh core of tightly wound natural acidity, leading to a satisfying, lingering finish. Will easily improve with careful cellaring for twenty years plus.n

1 2

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Stunning

& Historic

A rare opportunity to purchase a beautiful Jacobean mansion, this month we tour North Luffenham Hall, just a few miles from Stamford...

North Luffenham Hall, Thenear CoachStamford House, Carlton Scroop Owners: Roger and Mary Canham. Style: Stunning historic Grade I Listed mansion dating back to 16th century. Receptions: Six, currently arranged as Drawing Room, Library, Sitting Room, Breakfast Kitchen, Study/Billiard Room and Reception room. Bedrooms: Ten, with five bathrooms. Other Features: Stables, swimming pool & sauna suite, gym, cellars, staff apartment. Price: £3,450,000. Find Out More: King West, St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2DE. Tel: 01780 484520. www.kingwest.co.uk.

STUNNING AND HISTORIC: That’s how one property expert has described North Luffenham Hall. The property is not just Grade II or II* but Grade I listed (accounting for just 2.5% of all listed properties), making it one of only 6,000 buildings in the UK to boast the status — alongside Buckingham Palace and Grimsby Dock Tower! The Jacobean mansion is fresh to the property market and could represent an extremely desirable residence for its new owners, who will enjoy generously proportioned accommodation set within six acres and arranged over three floors. Current owner Roger Canham has served as the property’s custodian for over five years, and has renovated the property, including making extensive changes to the grounds. But the property’s history is as interesting as its current situation. “It was built in 1555 by James Harrington, then acquired by Simon Digby.” says Roger. “He was the cousin of, and a named conspiritor with, Guy Fawkes. Meetings were supposed to have taken place at the Hall, reportedly in the Digby Room, during the planning stages of the gunpowder plot.” The early Jacobean period saw the property altered and extended by the grandson or great-grandson of Digby, including the addition

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“We’re really lucky, as properties like this are usually

passed down from generation to generation... we had coveted it for around two years before it came on to the market, and couldn’t quite believe our luck...!”

of beautiful wood panelling in the library, sitting room and dining room. Another quirky fact involves the property’s subsequent owners, the Fenwick family, being visited by their great friend the 19th century super-soprano Dame Nellie Melba. The singer agreed to several private performances for the family at the property, but on one occasion, just as she began to sing, the bells of the adjacent church pealed, and Melba stormed out in fury. Thankfully, the Canham family is more even-tempered, but with daughters Caroline, 19 and Sophie, 18, leaving home & Eleanor, 16 and Hector, 12, coming of age, the family feel that this is an appropriate time to look for new custodians. So, what can the new occupiers expect? For a start, stunning architecture. The property has flavours of Jacobean,

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The exterior is a beautiful blend of Jacobean and early Georgian architecture.

Georgian and Victorian architecture, and sits centrally within six acres of elevated grounds overlooking beautiful Rutland countryside. “It really is a one-of-a-kind property.” says Roger, himself a property expert and investor. “We had seen it two years before it came onto the market and had always held a soft spot for it.” “We’re really lucky because properties like this are usually kept in the family and passed down through the generations.” Quite legitimately described in the agent’s particulars as a mansion rather than a country home, the property features ten bedrooms with five bathrooms, arranged over three floors, plus a separate two-bedroomed self-contained apartment which is, itself, Grade II* listed.

The home also has six reception rooms with a beautiful large reception hall with oakpanelled fireplace currently home to both the family’s Steinway grand piano & solid wood floor. “It’s a superb house for family celebrations, and we enjoy standing around the piano singing as a family — we had 20 people with us at Christmas with a further 40 for New Year’s Eve.” says Roger. The main drawing room, meanwhile, features large mullion windows with shutters and window seats as well as an ante-area with marble open fireplace. The dining room, meanwhile, is particularly beautiful, with Ionic columns and heavily carved panelling, open fireplace with stone surround and wine cupboard, as well as a carved inscription bearing the property’s original date; 1616.

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North Luffenham Hall also

features a swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, tennis courts and six acres of grounds. Arranged over three floors of accommodation are ten bedrooms & five bathrooms... North Luffenham Hall’s practicality is also boosted by a large vaulted kitchen with bespoke cabinetry, four-oven Aga and Miele appliances. The property’s grounds include stabling for six horses plus associated tack room, workshop with hayloft, tennis courts, wildlife pond and orchard. There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool with sauna, gymnasium and as well as a billiards room too. The grounds have certainly come into their own during the kind of long, hot summers we lament. In recent years the house has hosted garden parties for Mary’s Meals, which provides nearly 200 tonnes of food aid to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, to where tens of thousands of people have fled in search of food. As part of enterprising daughter Eleanor’s Duke of Edinburgh Award the house was also transformed into a Bed and Breakfast for last year’s Burghley Horse Trials. Ultimately, though, North Luffenham Hall is a family home, and a beautiful one at that. “We’ve really enjoyed living here, we’re going to miss the place terribly.” says Roger. “It truly is a unique property and given its style and scale, it’s so fortunate that the Hall hasn’t been transformed into a hotel or similar before now. It’s a piece of history... and a beautiful home.” n North Luffenham Hall is currently on the market with King West of Stamford for £3.45m. For more information see www.kingwest.co.uk or call 01780 435970.

Inspired Buys Bronze life-size pheasant, 70cm £425, Elizabeth and Stevens, Markham Moor, 01636 822 000 or see www.elizabethandstevens.com. Duresta Sofa from Anvils of Stamford; 01780 481 871 or see anvilsofstamford.com. Large Scale Urn with Plinth, 220cm tall, £1,200. Elizabeth & Stevens. Steinway Grand Piano, from White and Sentance of Sleaford; 01529 302 037 www.wspianos.co.uk.

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High Society

Macmillan Cancer Support Charity Sale Thousands of pounds was raised by Rutland’s Macmillan Cancer Support Charity group at Barnsdale Lodge recently, with a sale of some exclusive designer fashions... Images: Rob Davis.

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Castle

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Keep...

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Homes&Gardens

Park House, St Martins Without, Stamford Style: Superbly presented and maintained detached house in a highly desirable location. Receptions: Seven, currently arranged as a Drawing Room, Dining Room, Lounge, Study/Entertainment Room, and a Conservatory. Bedrooms: Eight, five of which have en-suite bathrooms. Other Features: Heated indoors Swimming Pool, and Children’s Castle folly/play house outside. Price: £1,595,000. Find Out More: Fine & Country Stamford, 2 St Marys Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire. Telephone 01780 750200. See www.fineandcountry.com.

PARK HOUSE was built in the early 1930s, and is located opposite the historic grounds of Burghley House and Golf Club. Stamford is well known for having over 600 listed buildings, and is home to some of the most stunning buildings in the local area. The house sits back from the road, down a private driveway, and is surrounded with gorgeous gardens, lined with trees, and has it’s very own orchard. “It feels almost as though you are deep within the countryside, yet the Georgian market town of

Stamford is only eight minutes walk away.” says owner Mrs Morley. The house itself is set within 1.4 acres of land. “The house isn’t overlooked, and it is really quiet, but at the same time everything you need is in close range.” The house offers a superb amount of space for any family, who enjoy the great outdoors, and love an adventure. “I would be really happy to see a family with young children buy the house, as it’s a home to grow up in.”

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Homes&Gardens

“The lounge is my favourite place in the whole house.

The fireplace is unique and the floor to ceiling windows let in so much light...” says Mrs Morley.

The previous owners lived in the property for almost 30 years, with children and grand children enjoying the ample space that this property has to offer, both inside and out. They had the incredible castle built at the back of the house for children and adults to explore. The property offers generous, versatile, and well presented accommodation, to suit any potential buyer. The living accommodation is set over three floors and has been recently updated and improved, cosmetically, by the current owners. “We added a lick of paint, making the property more neutral. We wanted the house to feel fresh and airy.” The house itself comprises of seven reception rooms and eight bedrooms of which five are en-suite.

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The kitchen is open plan, a sectioned off area and with a central island, dividing the cooking area.

“The bedrooms are all different shapes, and all have their own character, they’re all quite quirky actually.” says Mrs Morley. There are also further outbuildings, including a Gardener’s Cottage, and two double garages, with two large rooms above, which are currently arranged as a games room and gym. Within the house, there is a bespoke kitchen and breakfast room. “There’s a divide in the middle of the kitchen, to section off the cooking area. It’s great for when you’re entertaining as you are still part of the group, but people tend to let you get on.” says Mrs Morley. The kitchen features a Rangemaster cooker, and within the perfectly sized cooking area, there are two hobs, two cookers and three sinks.

“There’s two of everything, it’s great, and it’s a practical square layout, so all you need is in easy reach. There is also a breakfast room just off from the kitchen, which is ideal for spending early mornings together as a family.” The lounge is a light tranquil room, with floor to ceiling windows, flooding the room with as much sunlight as is possible. “The lounge has to be, by far, my favourite room in the house. There’s no television, but it has the most beautiful fireplace, and it’s unique as there were only two ever made.” There is a further sitting room, featuring classic wooden panelling detailing. “My husband has his own room, what we call ‘The Gentleman’s Room’ where he entertains his friends.”

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Homes&Gardens

The stone castle, with

landscaped gardens and orchard, make these gardens both tranquil and versatile... it’s a magical place for children to play and exercise their imagination! Towards the back of the house, is the spacious 45ft conservatory, which overlooks the diverse gardens. The conservatory leads through to the indoor heated swimming pool, and pool room, where guests can sit and enjoy the relaxing setting. “The pool is ideal for any mermaid. My daughter is a great swimmer, and that’s what we always used to call her!” Ideal for spring and summer evenings, the swimming pool, with changing room and sauna, conservatory and patio, allows you to entertain, without guests having to enter the main part of the home. The property is set back from the road behind electric gates. Along the gravel drive, and up until the front of the house, is a parking area. “The parking area will comfortably stand around ten cars.” Outside, the gardener’s cottage and two double garages with games room and gym above, are practical for any family wanting some external living space. The gardens themselves are landscaped with a variety of secluded patio areas, a wind hut and a sectioned off adult size castle, which can entertain children of all ages. “The castle is about one and a half storeys of a normal house, the stairs are ideal for adults, and the balcony area is great.” “There is also an apple and pear orchard. I love to walk down the orchard in Spring. When the blossom is out, it looks dreamy, and we then have our own juicy apples and pears to enjoy through the warm months.”n Fine & Country, 2 St Marys Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire. Telephone: 01780 750200. See: www.fineandcountry.com.

Inspired Buys Lisbon Chiminea in bronze £89.99. Crowders Garden Centre; 01507 528602, www.crowders.co.uk. Limestone Hand Carved Estate Fountain £POA; Elizabeth and Stevens 01636 822000, www.elizabethandstevens.com. Croquet Set from a selection of garden games £54.99, Crowders Garden Centre. G-Plan Gemma sofa £3,240. Oldrids; 08452 505502, www.oldrids.co.uk.

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Do you need a new sofa or armchair? Recovering of your existing furniture? Call in and you will be greeted with friendly, expert advise for all your upholstery questions

Visit our showroom five days a week:

A16 Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD

or telephone: 01780 757 946 www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

HUNTERS I N T E R I O R S 49

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Homes&Gardens

Tiles with Style for Your Home NATURAL BEAUTY with the benefits of hard-wearing practicality. It’s easy to see why tiles are experiencing a real renaissance in the home.

Today, tiles can be both contemporary, with a glittery high-gloss sheen, or a rainbow of opaque coloured glass and traditional, with natural variation and texture. “We’ve 15 years experience and I can tell you there’s never been such choice and such a variety of styles for the customer!” says Sean Bell of Bourne Tile Centre.

Tiled walls and floors are enjoying a real renaissance — and the variety available today is spectacular. Here, we look at the latest trends for anyone looking to incorporate style and practicality into their home...

“Porcelain is denser and more durable than some other materials, whereas travertine is a softer marble product, with excellent non-slip properties. That makes it an ideal material for bathrooms.” says Sean.

“A good expert can provide advice as to what suits your intended use, and we also have a variety of sealers that can protect your investment and ensure your floor or wall tiles look good for years to come even in damp rooms or those affected by changes in heat.”

Sean has access to a wide variety of tiles, and only uses in-house fitters to ensure excellent fitting and after-care. Supplying to both consumers and trade, he personally conducts no-obligation site surveys and provides a measuring and consultation service free of “It’s a charge.

With 15 years experience, the retailer supplies and installs tiles for floors and walls, restores heritage tiles with specialised cleaning equipment, and stocks all of the cleaning products and accessories needed to keep your wall or floor looking great. specialised area “Originally I set up LTS interiors in the town providing quality kitchens and bathrooms.”

“Traditional tiles in natural of expertise, but stone are popular, but we choosing the correct also design a lot of feature walls for clients, with tiles can create highlight or contrast colours; an amazing they look fantastic when room!” completed.” he says.

“Because tiling is such a specialised area though, I wanted to set up a business that could do them justice and ensure the consumer gets good value for money.”

The company has access to well over 5,000 lines, with a newly extended showroom featuring wall tiles in its downstairs studio. A new mezzanine studio has a range of ceramic floor tiles, as well as underfloor heating, laminate flooring from Woodpecker plus sealers and adhesives. Porcelain and travertine are the most common materials, with the former especially hardwearing and suitable for heavy traffic areas.

“Once installed, all floor tiles should be vacuumed regularly as grit and dust can be abrasive. It’s important to use a specialist pH-neutral cleaner to feed and seal the stone, and to never use bleach, as this breaks down sealants.” “Advice like this is all part of the service.” says Sean. “That’s why consulting a specialist retailer like us is really important. Our advice could mean the difference between a room that looks ill-cared for after just a few years, or creating a room that looks great year after year.” n

Bourne Tile Centre is based on Cherryholt Road, Bourne. For more information call 01778 395950 or see www.bournetilecentre.co.uk.

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Homes&Gardens

Beautiful Homes

For Families LISA COLLINS IS ENJOYING A FAMILY MEAL with her two children, aged 10 and 12. Meanwhile, Rachel Straw is baking cakes in her farmhouse kitchen with her grandmother, Phyllis. What do the two women have in common?

Both understand the role of a modern family kitchen, the hub of the home and a place for couples and their kids to live, work and relax. Lisa is one of the UK’s best kitchen designers, even winning the coveted national Kitchen Designer of the Year award back in 1997. She and Rachel both work in a converted Grade I listed stableblock, alongside Lisa’s husband Tom, together creating bespoke and designer kitchens for their clients’ modern and traditional homes, with budgets of anything from £10,000 to £30,000 and a lead time of around two months.

Country kitchens, contemporary kitchens, cool kitchens… kitchens to enjoy baking, dining or just spending time together. No matter what you do in yours, you’ll love the look and feel of a family kitchen from Habit…

“It’s important that a kitchen designer understands your building, your household and your habits.” says Lisa. “Hence Habit Kitchens; they represent what your kitchen means to you, whether that means a creating a place for serious cooks, a place for the children to do their homework, a place where Tom and I can entertain friends or a place where Rachel can indulge her love of baking.” Providing quality ‘off the peg’ kitchens from top British names like Omega and Sheraton, or completely bespoke kitchens, handmade in the company’s own workshops, Lisa says she can accommodate any property, any look and any budget. Alongside appliances by Neff, Miele and Rangemaster, sinks by Franke and the kitchen accessories that Habit has begun to stock in their newly refurbished showrooms. Lisa has 20 displays featuring both contemporary and traditional kitchens. Her top of the range kitchens are hand-painted in Farrow and Ball colours, beautifully detailed and paired with Aga cookers to create a gracious, country kitchen feel.

“The age of a property reflects how its use was envisaged at the time it was built...”

“Older houses are interesting.” says Lisa. “For instance, Georgian kitchens were only designed to be rooms of work, which was usually conducted by the household’s staff. Of course, fewer people have staff these days and more of us spend time as a family in the kitchen. Many relax and entertain in the room too, so the role of the kitchen has changed enormously.” Since setting up her company, Habit Kitchens, Lisa has designed over 2,000 kitchens predominantly in Lincolnshire and Rutland, but all over the UK too. Her service begins with a personal visit to meet her clients, measure up and get a feel for the property before offering advice and creating a hand-drawn representation of her vision for the customer’s new kitchen.

In each case though, full project management, a fitting team lead by Rob, who has been with the company since it began, and the company’s tried and trusted tradesmen ensure a first rate job and flawless customer service every time. From building & plastering work to plumbing and electrical, to the installation of appliances, tiling and decorating, everything is beautifully coordinated. The whole experience is designed to cause the customer the minimum disruption possible, leaving them to enjoy making the more creative decisions.

Working alongside Rachel, the pair will produce not just a hand drawn image, but a comprehensive 3D rendering and fully itemised costing to see just where your overall budget is being used, ensuring your kitchen reflects good value as well as looking great.

“There are so many designs and combinations we can offer our customers, literally, whatever they want.” says Lisa. “Even better though, we can make sure that it suits your family, your lifestyle and your tastes perfectly.” n

Habit Kitchens is based at Market Stainton and installs kitchens across Lincolnshire and Rutland. Call 01507 343543 or see www.habitkitchens.co.uk.

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Transform

Your Garden... with Lincolnshire’s Finest Garden Centre, Crowders of Horncastle... Stock arriving now in time for spring: Bulbs, Plants, Seeds, Tools, Furniture, and large range of Clothing & Gifts... Family business, established 200 years. Ample free parking, Botts Coffee Shop on site, new restaurant opening April 2012.

Four Seasons • Garden Centre • Gifts • Restaurant • Farm Shop •

Get Your Growing Going with expert advice and quality products from

GARDEN CENTRE Grow your own food and create a stunning looking garden — Four Seasons near Sleaford has everything you need! • Tubs and Tools • Seeds, Plants & Shrubs • Outdoor Clothing & Boots • Gardening Gifts PLUS: Quality Dining in our large restaurant: Mother’s Day Dining, three courses for £14.95, booking only!

Lincoln Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5LZ

Call 01507 525252 or visit us online at www.crowders.co.uk 54

London Road, Silk Willoughby near Sleaford NG34 8NY Call 01529 304970 or click onto www.fourseasonsgardencentre.co.uk

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A Shower of April Gardens This month we talk to Lady Ursula Cholmeley who welcomes us into the spring gardening season, with a whole host of surprises and treats, from beautifully landscaped gardens to hidden treasures and tricks of the trade ...

aston Walled Gardens has been restored for over a decade now, and now looks well-established, rather than newly renovated. Furthermore, April and May really are the best months to enjoy this understated attraction.

After taking on the gardens in 2001, Ursula began the huge restoration job after 50 years of abandonment. Continuing to care for the gardens, after 11 years of hard work the formal gardens and grounds have been brought back to life.

The gardens are a magnificent sight, with a wide variety of flowers and shrubs. These come together on such a grand scale, making this garden one to definitely aspire to; there is something to inspire all.

The costs and hard work involved in bringing a garden on this scale back to life are big — there are now four full time gardeners.

Their custodian, someone who has invested countless hours in their restoration, is owner and head gardener Lady Ursula Cholmeley. “When the opportunity to take on the historic gardens fell on my doorstep, I took up the challenge straight away.” says Ursula.

The once lost gardens are now home to a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables, with April’s focus being the wonderous and classically English meadows filled with vibrant tulips.

When the opportunity to take on the gardens arose, I took up the challenge straight away.

“The meadows are a typically English Scene.” says Ursula. “If you visit the gardens themselves, we are sure you will agree that they are an incredible sight, and within the ever changing seasons, we’re definitely a garden to watch.”

Easton is over 450 years old, and was home to the Cholmeley family for 14 generations. In 1951 the hall was pulled down, and the gardens were later abandoned.

“We try to cater for all, we’re very child friendly, it’s about trying to get everyone involved. We’re curently workin on our summer children’s trail!” n

“The property and the land had returned to woodland, with brambles and elder.”

Events are held throughout the year, for details of Easton’s calendar, see www.eastonwalledgardens.co.uk.

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Image: Easton Walled Garden gate surrounded by pear blossom by Fred Cholmeley.

Homes&Gardens

Tips on preparing your summer garden... This month is all about preparation and visionary thinking. From what to buy to what you should plant, Ursula Cholmeley, of Easton Walled Gardens gives her expert knowledge on how to make the most out of your garden... First: Before you do anything outside in the garden, you should have the right equipment. Make a plan of what you want to do, and how you want your garden to look. I know it sounds obvious, but you must make a list of what you need and get it early, make sure you have the right pots, the right composts and seeds ready to go. All you need then is to take one trip to the garden centre, knowing that you can then get started straight away.

Prepare: If you have your empty potting trays ready, start preparing your pots and compost now, to ensure that you have plenty of time to grow, and your garden can then be filled with rich colours in summer. Keep it simple, but stay organised.

Plant: Spring is here, and this is when the soil is at its best for planting. The harsh conditions of winter have now passed and the ground is warming up, ready for your little seedlings. If you can touch the ground and it feels comfortable, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime time for planting in the garden.

Choose: Decide on a layout or design of what you want, and think about the flowers you want to feature in your garden, hanging baskets or raised beds. Ideal flowers to plant are all herbaceous perennials, geraniums and the beautiful iris. Other flowers include the Lily of the Valley and Nile, Begonia, Lilium and Gladioli.

Maintain: For the flowers to bloom and burst into colour ready for summer, you must take care of them. From seeds, to full flower, you must try to keep them out of any harsh weather and water them regularly, taking care not to overwater them. n

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Homes&Gardens

Image: Fred Cholmeley.

Image: Barnsdale Gardens.

Flowering Now

If you want instant colour in your garden, there is a wealth of choice when creating a blooming lovely outdoor space! FLOWERS FOR APRIL include the Sweet Pea and the Daisy, and these are also the April birth flower. These two flowers celebrate Easter, from Good Friday to Passover, and are ideal as a birthday gift. The tradition of giving flowers as gifts dates back to the Roman period, when they would worship them as gods. Sweet Peas should have already been sown and if they haven’t been hardened off, this will be done before planting out. “It is important when planting to tie in the sideshoots to the supports as these will

flower much better and much longer than the main shoot.” says Nick Hamilton. Late daffodils, such as the Narcissus will also be in flower, along with Cowslips and Gay Kybo. If your garden is not yet full of life, the best to start with are herbaceous perennials, which are small flowering plants. Herbaceous perennials are ideal for any garden as they grow and bloom over the spring and summer, to then die back every autumn and winter, to return in the spring. n

Easter Gardens With the children off in the Easter holidays, why not visit a garden near you and soak up some lovely spring sunshine... THINGS ARE HEATING UP It’s the time of year you can get outside in your own garden, and enjoy the vibrancy that starts to slowly take over your once weary winter garden. It’s Easter time, and with children off for the school holidays, you can get them involved with your garden, or take them out to a local garden near you. Some churches have an Easter Garden, where a stone is placed across the mouth of a tomb before Easter, then rolled away on Easter morning. Gardens don’t have to be hard work, it’s about getting as much enjoyment out of them as possible. This includes all things from setting up a vegetable garden, brightening up the home indoors with potted plants and sitting outside relaxing in a tranquil setting.

Above and below Image: by Joshua Harris.

There are also gardens around the area which have hedgerow mazes and fun adventures, which include Easter egg hunts.

If you are looking to get creative, you may want to add water features, and attract glorious creatures in to your garden. You can do this by planting flowers which have simple petal arrangements. It is these types of plants that enable bees and other small, garden friendly insects to get to the pollen easily. If you haven’t already, you should be filling up your vegetable plot. “A quick fix for April would be container lettuce, you need to be planting salads, carrots and radishes too.” says Lady Cholmeley. To guarantee an excellent supply of leeks right through winter they need to be sown outside this month. “I like to sow into a seedbed and then plant out the resulting seedlings into their final spot from there.” says Nick Hamilton. For more information on features for your garden, visit a local garden centre for fantastic tools and inspiration. n

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ON THE FARM Our sage of the soils, Barry Poston, has many years of experience as an arable farmer and writes on farming issues each month in Pride... UP TO THE MIDDLE OF MARCH farmers experienced a relatively mild winter. No normal February ‘fill dyke’ weather occurred and water levels were as low as I can remember for this time of the year. Ponds and streams are still completely dry. If the dry weather continues, there will be considerable shortage of crops. A BAN ON CROP IRRIGATION is highly likely and all root crops and vegetables will suffer accordingly. One can only hope that the law of averages occurs and good supplies of rain are forthcoming, although not at sowing or harvest time.

Image: Barnsdale Gardens.

Barnsdale Gardens

Manicured and landscaped, Barnsdale Gardens is a true English gem. Owner, Nick Hamilton tells us more... “IN 1979, Gardeners’ World began being presented by my father, from his rented property which was on the site of what is now the Barnsdale Hall Hotel. In 1983 he moved to a small farmhouse with five and a half acres of land.” Viewers of the BBC2 programme watched avidly as the Gardens developed over the next 13 years. Geoff Hamilton was without doubt TV’s most popular gardening presenters, and the Gardens at Barnsdale are well known all over the world.

had a bit of a burst of development with three new gardens developed – the Children’s Garden, Studio Garden and Lands End Garden, with our next project being a garden for people with limited mobility. Who wouldn’t be encouraged to get in the garden with all that fresh, young growth bursting forth and the vast array of bright spring flowers illuminating even the dullest of days?

Spring flowers illuminate even the dullest of days during Those early flowering the coming Clematis varieties of alpine, months. macropetala and montana

Since his death, and from early 1997, the television gardens have been open every day to the public and continue to attract visitors from all over the UK and beyond.

Due to the changing requirements of anyone’s life, a garden really needs to be seen as ‘a work in progress’ — it evolves to the needs of its users and ours is no different. In the last 18 months we have

give life to even the dullest fencing. “Don’t think that the work stops there. As there’s still plenty to be getting on with at this time of year to guarantee beautifully coloured and scented flowers later on”. n Events are held throughout the year. See: www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk

IN 1976 there was a similar drought which occurred through to September. Crop yields were low and consequently prices for vegetables were very high. Potato prices rose to over £300 per ton, which with inflation allowance would relate to over several thousands of pounds per ton at today’s prices. PLANTING OF EARLY SUMMER cauliflowers generally starts in late March. If soil conditions are good most Sugar beet sowing will take place. Early sowing of sugar beet used to suffer from ‘bolting’ but now with modern day varieties sowing dates can be brought forward by two or three weeks. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS interest has been shown in precision agriculture using GPS techniques on agricultural machines. Using these, equates to considerable savings in fuel, and general efficiency can be obtained. Mapping and record keeping can be fed directly into the farm computer system. With the equipment using RTK systems, precision down to 2cms can be obtained without the driver touching the steering wheel. One wonders how soon it will be before we see driverless tractors appearing on our farms. n

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Homes&Gardens

Grow Your Own

Decoration... If you’re looking to make your home or dinner table beautiful, look no further than your garden this spring. Florist Dean Newall creates an easy-peasy-posy with material from his garden... BRING THE BEAUTY OF SPRING INDOORS this season, by creating beautiful decorations with English foliage and flowers grown in the garden. “Many people, even those who aren’t keen gardeners, have all they need to create beautiful floral decorations growing in their own gardens.” says Dean Newall, floral designer at The Bouquet Centre. Dean has created more than 12,000 bouquets, using locally grown flowers, during his 15 year career. “With just a block of floral foam and a tray, it’s easy to create a simple posy with thick foliage used as filler material and then a few more ‘feature’ flowers.” Dean created the posy shown opposite using ivy and fern growing in his garden and a few roses including Veronica and Aqua. Incorporating rosehips and Gypsophila, his design took shape in less than 15 minutes.

“You can buy filler flowers, or use roses from your garden — especially when deadheading your garden.” Dean, an iFlorist who can deliver flowers anywhere in the UK the same day if orders are placed before 2pm, also has some handy advice for preserving your cut flowers and ensuring good floral hygiene. “Always cut stems diagonally to ensure each one can take plenty of water — and crush the stems of stocks with a hammer.”

A little floral handicraft can go a long way to brighten up your home this Spring, with material from your garden...

“Bleach vases and rinse thoroughly to prevent the build-up of mould and algae, and revive flagging flowers with the boiling water tip given below.” “If your flower heads are sagging, trim the stem at the base, and wrap floppy flowers in damp newspaper to revive their rigidity.”

“By way of some guidance, it’s best to stick to one colour — pink or purple, for example, but use different shades of these for some contrast.”

It’s also a good idea to use flower food, like the sachets provided by florists, as these contain preservatives and growth promoters which prolong the life of flowers by around five days.

“It’s best to work on opposing sides of your posy, and work in a circle, building up filler material like ferns, eucalyptus, ivy and other bushy evergreens.”

“A little floral handicraft really can go a long way, and it’s a great way to make use of deadheaded flowers to brighten up your home.” says Dean. n

How to Rescue Flagging Flowers in Vases... TO RESURRECT vases of flowers with floppy heads, plunge the stems briefly into boiling water. Often air bubbles trapped towards a drooping head can be drawn out of the bottom of the stem this way.

After 30 seconds or so, you’ll see bubbles escaping from the bottom of the stem. Place back into cold water. This will prolong the life of a stem by around five days.

iFlorist Dean Newall’s Bouquet Centre is based on Northgate, Sleaford and can be contacted on 01529 300888.

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Creating the Perfect Posy... Your garden can yield a beautiful spring decoration — like this beautiful posy created in just 15 minutes... 1. Use floral foam (£1) and a tray (50p), and incorporate evergreen foliage from your garden (eg: ivy, eucalyptus) or house (eg: ming fern, asparagus fern).

2. Work at opposite sides in turn, building up filler foliage. Don’t be symmetrical but build up consistent depth. Next, start to work in, for example, the Veronica roses used here.

3. Finish with your most luxurious flowers — in this case aqua roses — and finish with Gypsophila, and rosehips. Floral design by Dean Newall.

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Homes&Gardens

The Season For Growing NOW IS THE SEASON to get going and start growing. With the Government pushing to get the public eating healthily, you can experiment within your very own garden; this month we find out how. “Growing your own can be cheaper, it’s also healthier and educational, especially for young children. A lot of people have had their fill of supermarket foods, and are experimenting at home in their own gardens.” says Michael Hix, from Four Seasons Garden Centre. Growing your own can be fun, and it’s a great way to get children involved. “We cater for all ages, as growing anything is an educational experience, and children love it.” Spring is optimum propagation time. You can start planting now and start getting a return from you produce in a few weeks time. “We have the stock and knowledge to help even the novice, and up to the gardening expert.”

dependent on the size of your garden, and the practicality of growing your own. “I recommend raised beds for growing vegetables, along with containers, which are perfect for moving your produce, and ideal for keeping different types of plants separate.” Moveable containers allow those with even the smallest garden to grow their own. There are container bags, such as the potato planter. These reusable bags are fantastic for growing in, because the containers can be moved easily out of bad weather, and you can also harvest it easily. There are also walk-in greenhouses, and windowsill trays to get you started.

Growing anything, from flowers to veg, is an educational experience... and children love it!

Plants need protection from everything from wind, to bugs to slugs... all of these can effect how your crops will grow.

“We will soon have ready made plants, that can get people started. These help people who have less time to tend to their seedlings, to miss out the beginning stage, and start one step up. It’s a time and space issue.”

Radishes, 10 week lettuce and cabbages are ideal for those wanting a quick return on their investment. There is also a wide selection of potatos, onions and herbs which are perfect for growing at home.

“We often find people try to treat their plants when it’s too late, and the problem has already caused significant damage. I always recommend using the protective sprays as a preventative measure before the problem arises.”

Select your compost wisely, as there is a wide selection, and all have their own benefits. If growing organic foods, you preferably want to grow in containers to ensure that the vegetables, fruit and herbs are completely organic. n

There are also other options to consider,

For more information call Four Seasons Garden Centre: 01529 304970.

There is a huge Government push to get the general public eating healthily, one of the best ways to do this is to start growing your own fruit and vegetables. This month we find out how you can do this even with the smallest garden...

Above: A wide selection of composts available, including organic varieties.

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Homes&Gardens

Get the Most From

Your Garden Centre Enthusiastic staff at one local garden centre are helping customers to find their green fingers. The new season has inspired many of them to prepare ranges of plants for practically any garden... TREE AND SHRUB departments have never looked better. Tubs, pots and hanging baskets filled with colour look absolutely fabulous. From the traditional to the more contemporary there is something to suit every garden!

Plants for April: Clematis Montana var Rubens This vigorous climber produces masses of single pale pink flowers against bronze tinted foliage. A fast grower, it will cover a fence or pergola. A large plant reaching a height of 30ft should be grown in free draining soil in the sun or part shade and be pruned after flowering. It is easy to grow and was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Garden Care At every garden centre there is a huge range of products to help you get the very best out of your garden. From wonderous tools making gardens easier to maintain, to hanging baskets, which can brighten up Prunus Kiku-Shidare-Zakura large and small gardens alike. Otherwise known as Cheals “The crown Whether you’re a budding Weeping Cherry. This graceful beginner or a blossoming tree bears clusters of double imperial makes expert Garden Centres are pink flowers along weeping a bold statement, your one stop shop. branches, followed by the leaves, which open bronze with tall stems Stoneware and Pots before turning green through and bell shaped the If you want something to last summer. Growing to 13ft throughout the year there are flowers.” and being quite tolerant of frost resistant pots available, pollution this is a good tree for which are ideal for all year round smaller urban gardens. Best grown in gardening. Stoneware and pots come in an full sun, and suitable for most soils. array of colours, adding texture to a low maintenance garden. They can make either Fritillaria Imperials side of your porch look colourful, and are Grown from bulbs planted in late summer the perfect for planting herbs and vegetables in. Crown Imperial makes a bold statement in the late spring garden, with its tall stems Furniture bearing bell shaped flowers hanging below a At most garden centres you will find great tuft of green leafy bracts. Very exotic looking quality furniture. There are huge display with colours ranging from scarlet, through to areas, showing off different products, making yellow. Bulbs should be planted very deep at it easy for you to choose to right piece. a depth of at least ten inches in well drained Food soil in a sunny area, reaching 3ft in height. n “We pride ourselves on tasty home cooked For more information visit Brigg Garden food, served with a smile. Home made is Centre. Call: 01652 650484 or our thing.” says Ian Hutchinson, from See www.britishgardencentres.com. Brigg Garden Centre.

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Vintage

CHIC for Home & Garden

Vintage style is hugely popular right now, and there are no better exponents than experts Julia and Steven Blockley who pick their favourite examples here...

VINTAGE STYLE is right on trend, especially for period properties in the area, and nobody knows more about how to skilfully introduce vintage style into your home than Julia & Steven Blockley who run Elizabeth & Stevens. For over 15 years the husband and wife team has worked with buyers for High Street multinationals, with TV and film productions looking for props and their celebrity clients. Originally working in wholesale, the couple opened their showroom on the A1/A57 junction in July 2011 to trade directly to the public and to trade in both home and garden products. The company stocks garden furnishings, architectural features and sculptures, furniture, vintage accessories for your home and quirky â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;finishing touches.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; If you have a period home and want something different to complete your room, a visit is highly recommended! n

6. 5.

7. 68

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Homes&Gardens 10. 9.

11.

12.

13.

1. Flower and Butterfly Cushions, handpainted on velvet by British designer Laura Olivier £85/ea, Union Flag Cushion in pink £25, Welsh Wool Throw £44. 2. Aged Leather Button Back Chair £495, Aged Leather Snug Chair with copper studs £800. 3. Recycled Antique Mill Bobbin Hour Glass £85, 15 minute timer £36, and five minute timer £15. 4. Bronze Boxing Hares £795. 5. Antique Leather Trunk £200. 6. Gathered Thoughts Pads £15. Cloth Photo Album £9.50. 7. Clock 92cm £110. 8. Hurricane Lamp £22. Fire Bucket £28.75. Candles from £3.75. Candle Snuffer £4. 9. Armillary £25. 10. Pink Cast Iron Bench £350. 11. Set of Three Bird Sculptures £11.25. 12. 3m Gazebo £POA. 13. Bronze Deer & fawns from £450 to £3,000 for life size Stag. 14. Bronze leaping Frog £500. 15. Two metre (7’5”) Urn £4,000/pair. 16. Industrial Refectory Table £795. 17. Post Boxes; Red £195. Black £69. 18. Putti with Butterfly, 110cm, £650. 19. Firebowl 1m wide £265. n

16.

14.

17. 18.

19.

n All of the items seen here are available from Elizabeth & Stevens of Markham Moor, Retford (just off A1/A57 Junction). Call 01636 822000 or see www.elizabethandstevens.com.

15.

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Tel: 01507 527113 Web: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk Email: peterjackson76@btinternet.com

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Antiques

Time for Tea and

Vintage Style AN EASY AND REWARDING WAY to start collecting antiques. Vintage china is becoming increasingly appealing to the younger generation of homemakers. If you have china collections stored away in a loft, now is the time to dig them out. The trend of using vintage china at tea parties and weddings is more popular than ever, and there are various ways to obtain pieces that catch the eye and make a statement. Denise Ward, vintage dealer, originally from Stoke-on-Trent — also known as The Potteries — explains all we need to know when buying vintage china. Vintage has been considered as a type of nostalgia, a way for people to reminisce about better times. “During the past few years the appeal for vintage china has increased significantly. More people are entertaining at home, and china adds an air of elegance.” says Denise.

Vintage china can cost from as little as a penny, or sell for thousands of pounds. Vintage china can allow the novice antique buyer to join the millions of people already enjoying building their unique and pretty collections...

It’s all about choosing a piece that appeals to you, regardless of its make or value. Since the Roman period, pottery has been used to make a statement, and this is exactly what is happening now. Mix and match china is also very popular, recycling a wide selection of brands and patterns, to create an individual look. “There is a pattern and style to suit every taste, budget and room in your house.”

“From typically classic blue and white Spode, dainty floral Paragon, Chintzy Midwinter to elegant “China is Shelley.” says Denise.

an accessible area of antiques. Anyone with a passion for it can collect it!”

Someone else who agrees that vintage china is enjoying a resurgence is Elizabeth Morton, who hires it out for special occasions. “It’s popularity at the moment is because people are generally nostalgic and in our very busy frenetic world it’s nice to slow down, and create some kind of harmony.” says Elizabeth. The china manufacturer is not necessarily the most important aspect to consider when purchasing vintage china.

It seems that bright, vibrant art-deco hand painted pieces are always sought after.

“If you see a vintage two tier cake stand grab it, as they’re becoming harder to come by.” says Denise. “But be careful when buying china generally, as cracks and blemishes are common.”

“You have to be especially careful with hairline cracks on china as they can suddenly break, which isn’t great if they’re being used for hot tea rather than just being kept for decorative purposes.” agrees Elizabeth. “But china cups & saucers are increasingly sought after, both for decorative purposes or for daily use... it’s quaint, nostalgic and comforting, no wonder it’s so popular!” n See www.navenbyantiquescentre.co.uk or www.elizabeth-inc.co.uk.

Above: Vintage china cup and saucer, popular at tea parties — image courtesy of Edward Morton.

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High Society

Annual Lions Charter Dinner The Lions recently held their annual charter dinner to celebrate a year of fundraising for selected local charities... Images: Phil Nix.

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Fashion

Inspired by

Nature

Animal and floral prints are on trend for the spring and summer season no matter what the occasion. Here, we ask independent retailers to suggest both formal and casual outfits using bold prints and accessories to ensure your look is inspired by the effortless beauty of nature... Images and Words: Rob Davis. Our Shoot: Photographed exclusively by Pride Magazines at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel & Sporting Estate, Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 2EF. Tel: 01572 787000. Web: www.staplefordpark.com. Main Image: Our main image shows Cindy wearing a John Charles printed dress and jacket £599, a matching fascinator £129 and crystal necklace set £69, all available exclusively from Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge, 01406 350961 or see www.cindysfashions.co.uk.

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76 Fashion Shoot

Shot exclusively by Pride Magazines at Stapleford Park, near Melton Mowbray...

88 Accessories

Accessories from local retailers to add style to bright summer outfits...

105 The Wedding Album

Join us in congratulating this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s featured Wedding Album couple...

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Outfit: Denise wears a Fransa print top £39.99, NYD Jeggings in black £109.99 and a matching belt £9.99. Further Details: Exclusively from Sally’s of Swaton near Sleaford, 01529 421335.

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Outfit: Sanitta wears a leopard print shirt £22, black jeans £15 and contrasting handbag £38. Further Details: From Gracie’s Attic, 22 Dolphin Lane, Boston, Lincs PE21 6EU. Call 01205 310966.

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Classic Clothing for the Modern Lady...

Smart Casual Wear from every-day brands like Steilmann and Sandwich...

Swaton, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 0JP

Tel: 01529 421335

Excellence in

Hair, Health and Beauty

5 High Street, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LE Tel: 01526 342309

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Open Monday-Saturday, call for an appointment.

Hair Styling Electrolysis Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barber Shop Jessica Manicures and Pedicures Waxing Lava Shell Massage Guinot Facial Treatments Tanning Complimentary Therapies

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Outfit: Rebecca wears a pink patterned scarf £12 and ruched dress £29. Further Details: Mystique Boutique, Shodfriars Hall, No. 4 South Street, Boston PE21 6HE. Call 07836 350789.

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Outfit: Cassie wears a knitted cotton leopard print/stripe/spotted top £95 by Betty Barclay, black cropped trousers by French Connection £79 and is carrying a black leather Ted Backer bag £150. Further Details: Available from Coneys, 34-38 Wide Bargate, Boston. Tel: 01205 311355.

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now open at Elm Grange Studios

De-Stress treatments from facials to LavaShells & LavaBambu massages, to Gelish manicures and pedicures...

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Call 01529 469542 or 07830 821821 for an appointment now!

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Outfit: Ann wears a Betty Barclay animal print top £49 and matching jacket £85. Michele black trousers £99 and long black and silver necklace £29. Further Details: Available exclusively from Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge, 01406 350961 or see www.cindysfashions.co.uk.

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Outfit: Steilmann Butterfly print shirt £49.99, Steilmann beige jeans £49.00 and a matching belt £9.99. Further Details: Exclusively from Sally’s of Swaton near Sleaford, 01529 421335.

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Outfit: Abbey wears a floral blouse £29, bracelets £9 each, ring £6 and holds a sequined bag £20. Further Details: Mystique Boutique, Shodfriars Hall, No. 4 South Street, Boston PE21 6HE. Call 07836 350789.

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Fashion

A Hint Of

RED A selection of accessories including bags, shoes and jewellery from the area’s leading independent retailers... Words and Images: Rob Davis.

Gabor shoes £79.99 from Sheila Tiller of Long Sutton. London Rebel plimsoles, £25, from Coneys of Boston.

Red Censi watch from Mystique Boutique of Boston.

Black patent Armani bag £150 from Coney’s of Boston.

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Printed purse £10.95, black beaded necklace £9.95 and leoprice bracelet £8.95, all available from Karen’s of Market Place, Donington.

Printed wellies £35 from Mystique Boutique of Boston.

Red bag £34.95 from Karen’s of Donington.

Red hexagonal bracelet £5, Gracie’s Attic, Boston.

Outfit: Michelle wears a Steilmann floral/animal print jacket £98.99, black satin button detail trousers £69.95. Black beaded necklace £9.95, Leoprice bracelet £8.95 and holds a print purse £10.95. Further Details: Available from Karen’s, 24 Market Place, Donington. Tel: 01775 820808.

Designer frames by Georgio Armani £212, and Jaeger £120 from O’Brien’s Opticians, Wrawby Street, Brigg, call 01652 653 595.

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Fashion

Pretty in Pink Summer Shift Dress

A Splash of

Colour...

Steilmann shift dress £69.99. Fascinator £29.99.

This season is all about colour! Who better, then, than a bright young thing herself, stylist and fashion retailer Sally Harrod, to advise on how to squeeze citrus style into your spring wardrobe... BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS have inspired this season’s most on-trend fashions, and Swaton retailer Sally Harrod has put together three outfits that prove colour will be incredibly popular this spring no matter what the occasion.

Fuchsia pashmina £9.99 and bag £29.99.

“I’ve noticed that mothers and daughters shop together, and I think it’s possible to create a range of outfits that both can wear, and feel really comfortable in.” says Sally. As shown here, cropped jeans are a great way to stay cool this summer, and the retailer is now stocking NYDJ jeans, too. NYDJ is gaining popularity every day; it's now the #1 best-selling jeans “This spring brand in department stores in the US. Tailored with a small is all about classic elastene content and clothing for modern designed to trim one ladies, employing jean size from anyone wearing them. bright colours and

“The look I want to advocate is classic clothing for modern ladies, and I’ve chosen brands like Sandwich and Steilmann to reflect this.” Sandwich is a Dutch brand of easy-wearing casuals, with textures and prints that look great when layered — a look that continues to prove popular. The brand is lively, youthful and bold, making it ideal for statement pieces in your wardrobe alongside staple items.

prints...”

Meanwhile, German brand Steilmann concentrates on classical tailoring with structure — the two brands can be combined to great effect to ‘dress up’ an outfit or make it more casual.

“This spring is all about lots of bright citrus colours, comfortable fits and making a statement with bold prints.” says Sally. n Sally Harrod of Sally’s is based at Swaton, near Sleaford; call 01529 421335.

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A Dash of Lime Jacket & Crops

Sandwich lime green jacket £89.99 with matching necklace £9.99.

Coral Layering

Tunic Top & Trousers

Right: Sandwich tunic top £69.99. Below: Beige Fransa cropped trousers £54.99 Below, right: Dark navy bag £24.99.

Above: Teal bag with shoulder strap £24.99. Left: Pomodoro navy cropped trousers £49.99.

Blue bow shoes exclusive to the retailer, £55.

Right: Gyven beige pumps £15.

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Fashion

Love Casuals Love LuLu

InWear Long Sleeve Scoop neck T-Shirt £24.

In Style, In Fashion and

On Trend... Based in Stamford and Newark, LuLu is one of the area’s most on-trend boutiques, and has achieved concept store status for its popular InWear brand... Words: Rob Davis. CREATE A VERSATILE WARDROBE: That’s the philosophy behind LuLu, established in 2010 by farmers’ daughters Annabel Ward and Rachel Neesham. With Rachel already running her boutique, Sarina, in Sleaford, the pair wanted to expand the idea of a capsule wardrobe boutique and subsequently set up LuLu in Newark in September 2010. Achieving rapid success, the Newark store was followed by a second shop on Stamford’s St Paul’s Street in October last year.

some really on-trend pieces statement pieces with decorative lace and subtle embellishment. This collection can also be completmented by our exclusive Estella Bartlett contemporary jewellery range.” In addition, the shops stock superb figureenhancing denim by Hudson Jeans. Similar to other jeans, they include a mix of elastene and enable the wearer to drop a jean size, but remain more exclusive than other brands. “They’re proving really popular at the moment.” says Annabel. “We’re really excited about them... but even more excited about our next new spring range of designer Lucy Choi shoes!”

“We knew from our own experiences that a versatile wardrobe which looks great and proves practical depends on both staple items and high fashion additions that keep you LuLu will, on-trend.” says Annabel. “Predominantly we stock InWear, a Danish brand that wears really well and looks great no matter what the occasion.”

from this month, stock Lucy Choi shoes, designed by the niece of Jimmy Choo...

A real coup for the area, LuLu will from this month be stocking limited styles of designer Lucy Choi shoes, created by no less than the shoe-designing niece of Jimmy Choo, currently taking London by storm, with prices ranging from £120.

The idea of LuLu is to enable women to access affordable luxury pieces with ‘basics’ from long-sleeved t-shirts, classic black trousers and fitted jeans.

“Spring will be a great season for us, we’ve so much to offer!” says Annabel. “Our customers really love the idea of capsule wardrobe shopping, and love our on-trend brands!” n

These can then be paired with statement pieces and more colourful items such as light shades or pastels — we’re seeing lots of ice blue, spearmint, pink and lemons, and we’ve

Lulu has shops at 43 St Pauls Street, Stamford 01780 766675 and The Buttermarket, Newark 01636 705084. Alternatively, see www.luvlulu.co.uk.

InWear Longer length knitted Cardigan £59. Lucy Choi jewelled sandal, ranging from £120.

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Country Chic

Tweed with Jeans InWear tweed blazer jacket £169.

Evening Style

for Cool Spring Evenings

InWear stretch cotton vest £22. InWear satin grey dress £124.

InWear pencil shaped knee length skirt £64.

Hudson straight leg jean £189.

InWear bright coloured scarf £24.

InWear coloured belt £29.

Lucy Choi leopard print metallic stiletto, ranging from £120.

InWear knitted cardigan £49.

Lucy Choi lace peep toe shoe, ranging from £120.

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F. E Addlesee & Son Privately Owned and Family Run Funeral Directors Established in 1930 by Frank Addlesee 44 Castle Street, Boston, Lincs

Telephone: 01205 311303

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Seeing Contact Lenses Clearly...

Its easy to act your age with contact lenses that provide perfect vision no matter what your time of life. Jackie Lansell talks us through the latest contact lens technology...

ACT YOUR AGE, WITHOUT COMPROMISE! are ideal for occasional use or for those looking Your vision shouldn’t be a barrier that prevents for wear a lens for sports of leisure. you from enjoying sport and leisure, and age is “In particular, they’re really popular with golfers no barrier to wearing contact lenses. and those who want a lens for occasional use — Jackie Lansell is a contact lens optician, and on the odd night out for example.” says Jackie. says she has an increasing number of older “Modern lenses can also boast varifocal clients curious about wearing contact lenses. properties, and are popular with wearers who They’re slightly sceptical, having used the first don’t like having to swap glasses for close-up generation of lenses some time ago or distance purposes. They’re ideal for with varying degrees of success. driving as they make the dashboard The “People are often surprised at and road ahead equally clear.” how lenses have progressed Eye Care Spalding’s Eye Care Centre has two since earlier products.” says full-time contact lens opticians, Centre stocks the Jackie. “I have customers as each of whom can see patients young as eight and as old as very latest in thin, who have an up-to-date prescription. 90. Anyone who can physically comfortable Beginning the consultation process handle lenses can wear them, with a chat about the patient’s it’s just a matter of confidence.” lenses... requirements, Jackie then talks through Whilst permanent lenses are still on the different options and measures the eye the market in gas permeable form, these using spectral topography before selecting are smaller and lighter than ever before, and sample lenses for the patient to try out. easier to insert and maintain. Over 80% of “Our patients are invariably really pleased with wearers, however, opt for disposable lenses, with the result.” says Jackie. “We offer clear vision, monthly variants from as little as £7/month. convenience and complete peace of mind.” n Daily disposables are an additional option and More Information: To discuss contact lenses or arrange a full consultation with experts Jackie Lansell or Geoff Eastwood, call into The Eye Care Centre at 6 Sheepmarket, Spalding PE11 1BH. Alternatively, call 01775 722 141 or see www.eyecarecentrespalding.co.uk.

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PC Martin Green.

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Crime&Punishment

Crime and Punishment This month we focus on Lincolnshire and Rutland policing and how the force has developed into the crime busters of today. Talking to special units we delve in to the world Words: Anna Morrish. of crime and punishment... LOCAL POLICE presence can be seen around the county, walking the streets and patrolling the roads to make sure we are safe from those unlawful criminals. Modern policing has its quirks, it’s now easier than it was hundreds of years ago due to the technological advances in science and computer systems. But it also has its downfalls. With more knowledge, more systems and databases than ever comes more paperwork to ensure that every last detail has been documented for future reference.

Because the area is generally rural, many would believe there is little crime, and less to do, but this is not the case. “One of the main problems we have is hare coursing, along with theft of cycles, tractors, petrol syphoning, scrap metal and travelling crime.” Churches often fall victim to criminals looking for lead off the roofs. Each attack on a church can actually be valued in repair costs of tens of thousands of pounds “Many churches are repeat victims, and they have to raise the funds themselves to repair any damages.”

Martin Green is one officer who knows first hand of the frustrating practices in As the area is largely farmland, many place, along with the Government criminals choose to travel through cut-backs which are stretching the area, believing they will not our local police officers get caught. Policing in across the border. “A lot of the criminals are our area is changing “There’s about five different from neighbouring counties, a great deal. Here, databases, which brings they travel through, trying with it more paperwork.” we talk to the area’s to go undetected.” “It does help, but it also different police Even though criminals are hinders us. I would say we being caught everyday, the disciplines... spend about 60% of the time prisons are too full and in the office.” says PC Martin unable to let anymore in. Green. “I think defendants get off lightly There are more practices in place due to full prisons and magistrates including, better victim care, officers who have their hands tied by specialise in helping those effected government legislation. It is very by crime. disheartening for the officer dealing with a criminal and more especially “I would say a lot of the visits we do are the victim when the offender gets off reassurance visits. People need to feel with just a small punishment” safe, and that’s why I’d rather be out policing, to being in the office. As we look at specific units, we see Policing is not a 9-5 job, and I how they too are proud of their take calls after hours.” policing units. n

PCSO Colin Ironmonger.

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Specialised Firearms Unit Highly trained to protect the Queen, and our county, these officers put their lives at risk everyday...

SERGEANT STUART BROWN has been on the front line of violent crime for 12 years, and fully understands the precision needed to be a firearms specialist. The training is thorough, and constantly updated to keep up to date with the changing dangers and developing crime of today.

everyday is different, and we must be prepared any event ...”

There is a high health and safety aspect to this job, as one slight squeeze on the trigger could cost someone their life.

Last year the firearms unit had 120 operational deployments, eight of which were pre-planned as close protection, including protection for Princess Anne when she visited the local area.

“There is no common call out, you get Chief firearms Sergeant Stuart Brown everything from a kid with a BB gun, helps to train the other 67 to possible terrorist attacks. authorised firearms officers. Imitation guns are just as “There is no Officers train every two much a problem, and it is months for two days. an offence to carry them common call out, in public.” “The initial training takes nine weeks, and we do refresher training throughout the year. I would say we organise around 500 days of training in 365 days, as training courses overlap.”

Above: Police units train to the highest possible standard, so they are able to protect our safety, and their own.

rescue. There are eight rifle officers, and 13 close protection officers.

“This job not only affects you as an officer, but also your family. If you are shot, or if you shoot someone, you have to live with that, and so does everyone else around you.” There are 18 specialists within the team that work as VIP protection, and hostage

The unit looks at their success rate, by the fact that no one was hurt.

“A successful day is one where no one is injured, and from 2009 to 2010, only three shots were fired operationally as a whole by the police service nationally and there were none fired by our county’s officers.” Our area may not be as built up as others, but even so there are a large number of lawfully held firearms, many for hunting. “Lawfully held firearms are just as much a risk, as there is potential there for an incident to occur.” n

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Crime&Punishment

Underwater Dive Unit

Dog Unit

Out of sight, doesn’t mean out of mind. Divers are trained to find the smallest pieces of evidence...

The specialist dog units are truly our best friend...

PC DAVID YARWOOD joined the unit in 2006, and helps support neighbouring counties too.

PC JON PEACOCK is proud of his role in the police force, and explains how the partnership with man’s best friend is better than ever. “I’ve worked as a PC for over 19 years, and this was the next step for me. It does excite me, and I love dogs, so it’s the perfect job.” says PC Jon Peacock. With the responsibility of caring for three dogs, he also trains other police dogs to an extremely high standard. “I take my dogs home. One dog, Max, who’s seven and a half years old, is retiring, he’s slowing down, as German Shepherds do.” German Shepherds, have long been used as police dogs, but faster Belgian alternatives are now being brought in. Most police dogs start training at eight weeks old, this helps prepare them for the courses later on. When the dogs are 12-18 months old the 12 week intensive course can begin. “The 12 week courses turn the dog into a general purpose dog, but it depends on the maturity of the dog to when we actually start training them.” Spaniel, Maya, has a 100% strike rate training. She is trained to find drugs, cash and firearms, and never missing a single shred of evidence. “I will be taking Maya to the Olympics this year, and we’re often requested in neighbouring counties. I have complete confidence in her, and the other dogs’ abilities.” n

“Many neighbouring counties don’t have a dive unit, so we get a lot of requests.” says PC David Yarwood. “There’s currently nine of us, and officers only tend to leave when they retire.” They’re highly trained, every two weeks, for two days, and any officer can apply. The eight week training course qualifies an officer as a commercial diver. “The nature of the conditions, mean any officer wanting to apply has to go through a rigorous medical.” The conditions in the local area are as bad as they’re going to get. This may lead you to believe that the success rate isn’t very high, but you’d be mistaken.

we’re incredibly accurate.” “Rivers are hot spots. We find all sorts, from guns to mobile phones. We have even found sim cards on the river bed. It’s basically a finger-tip search. It’s a finite skill as you have to control your buoyancy so as not to disturb the evidence below.” n

“We are highly successful in what we do,

Cut-backs are stretching our police forces to the max, but technology is making some aspects of policing easier...

The Road Policing Unit... The road policing unit works 24/7, aiming to make the roads safer for all... PC CHRIS CLARK has been a PC for over 22 years, and part of the road police unit for almost six years. “Most join because of the variety of work.” says PC Chris Clark. Every year there are hundreds of collisions in the UK. The primary aim for the road unit is to cut down the numbers killed or seriously injured on our roads. This unit works day and night. “There are the common offenses, but it depends on the time of day or night.” Offenses which occur the most are failure to wear a seat belt, talking on phones whilst driving, speeding, and drink and drug driving. “We find people committing these crimes several times a day.” n

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Crime&Punishment

The Executioner

Murder was punishable by death in England up until 1969, with the last hanging taking place in 1964, we have come a long way since this harsh and cruel practice... WILLIAM MARWOOD, born in 1820, became one of the most notorious executioners that has ever been. Taking up the position at the age of 54 in 1874, he continued in his work until his death in 1883.

make application for it may I ask on my behalf the favour of your support.” wrote G A Richards, March 16th 1878.

Executioner Marwood hung 176 criminals in his nine years of service...

William Marwood marks a time when punishment for an extreme offence were that of death. People would gather in the streets to witness executions, and they had a ripe thirst for blood and justice.

Marwoods signature was that of the ‘long drop.’ This method, meant the the convict’s neck would instantly snap, which was more humane than the ‘short drop,’ where many would suffocate and convulse. William Marwood from Paul Townsend.

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Requests of those wanting to join him, were made regularly. “... having heard that you are to have assistance granted you and I wish to

Reading his letters we find numerous grammatical errors and incorrect punctuation, this emphasises the lack of his formal education. In reply to a letter requesting more information about his method he wrote:

“No – greas to be putt on the rope all rops to be well tested before Execution and all rops to be kept dry in good auder”. In his obituary, we see just how well thought of he was, and how his visionary thinking got him recognised. “He took much pride in the manner of which he performed his executions, and was never weary of speaking of the great improvement of the long drop over all other systems previously adopted in this country or elsewhere.” reported The Times in 1883.

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Above: Death Mask of Tiger Tom, by Alan Peach. Left: Folkingham House of Correction. Below: Marwood wax work in the House of Horrors, from Paul Townsend. The wax figure of Marwood at the execution of Charles Peace, the archetypal Victorian burglar and murderer, stood proudly in Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors. “[Marwood] sat on several occasions for his model.” says the book The Romance of Madame Tussaud’s. There is no exact date, but he was mentioned in the archives catalogue. “He gave his final sitting on Monday.” says an Extract from The Morning Advertiser, October 12, 1883. He enjoyed his fame, and was delighted to receive an invitation from Madame Tussauds to attend sittings, enabling them to reproduce his likeness for their Chamber of Horrors Wax Works, London. He would often go down to the Chamber of Horrors to see some of his old acquaintances. Another partner in tackling crime were the prisons, including the house of correction in Folkingham, a place now less important than it once was. The House of Correction was originally a minor prison intended for minor offenders. The House of Correction was replaced in 1808, in order to serve a wider area, it was later enlarged again in 1825. In 1878 the prison was closed and the inner buildings converted into ten dwellings, all demolished in 1955.

of the harsh capital punishment, were the Weldon family of Nether Hambleton. It is believed that Mrs Wheldon’s sons, Richard and William, murdered a baker. For their crime, they received the death penalty. The true horror, is that their bodies were then hung on a gibbet within sight of the family home. The House of Correction is today a unique if macabre place for visitors to the county to stay! n Letters sourced with help from R Pendell, see: horncastlecivic.org.uk. For the House of Correction see: www.landmarktrust.org.uk

Punishment from the Past...

From 1817, the New Drop pattern gallows at Lincoln were erected on the roof of Cobb Hall. This was visible from the street below for all to see, but was also visible from the prison cells. Their last views were of that of the gallows where they would later be hung.

In his nine years of dedicated service, William Marwood hung 176 people, including eight women.

The death mask of Tiger Tom, a common thief, executed in 1829, hangs above the doorway of 30 South Street in Horncastle. The practice of creating death masks goes back to the time of ancient Egypt. Death masks were created as mementos of the dead, and this practice was later replaced by photography.

Dissection was a mandatory part of the punishment for female murderers from 1752 to 1834. Murder was the most common crime for which women were hanged in the 19th century.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, many convicts were transported to various Australian colonies. This was due to overburdened correctional facilities, very much like the problems we have today. Around 20% of the transportees were women, it is thought around 165,000 were transported between 1788 and 1868. n

One family who suffered during the times

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Market Rasen Racecourse Your Perfect Wedding Venue Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding. Here at Market Rasen Racecourse we understand that your wedding day will be one of the most special days of your life and we endeavour to make the planning as smooth and as uncomplicated as possible. With over 100 acres of vast open space and beautiful gardens, we are an ideal wedding venue for your special day. Our wedding breakfasts start at just ÂŁ22 + VAT per person and all our food and drink can be catered to your taste and budget.

To speak to our team please call 01673 843434. We would love to hear from you.

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A Unique Venue for Your

Perfect Wedding Day

The most impor tant day in your life deser ves a unique and special location. In the hear t of the city, located in Lincoln’s historic quar ter, The Old Palace is the perfect setting for your special day.

• Exclusive hire possible • Red carpet reception • Wedding par ty from 20 to 100 guests • Five function rooms

• Bespoke menus • Evening buffet for up to 150 guests • Free car park • 16 luxur y bedrooms

The obvious choice for those who desire sophisticated surroundings combined with excellent ser vice for a truly memorable day.

M i n s t e r Ya r d Lincoln LN2 1PU Telephone: 01522 504075 www.theoldpalace .or g enquiries@theoldpalace.org

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Wedding Album The

of Katie Skipworth & Christopher Willerton

Childhood sweethearts Christopher and Katie celebrated their wedding recently with a fairytale day complete with castle! Images: Christopher Morris Photography, call 01529 463066 or see www.cmorrisphoto.co.uk.

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Weddings

i Bride’s Name: Katie Skipworth. Groom’s Name: Christopher John Willerton. Best Man: Andrew James Willerton. Bridesmaids: Lucie Skipworth, Hannah Taylor & Mya Taylor. Pageboys: Samuel Bennett. Ushers: Christopher Coupland & Patrick Halliday. Bride’s Parents: Mrs Judy Skipworth & Mr Anthony Skipworth. Groom’s Parents: Mrs Carol Willerton & Mr Rodney Willerton.

When/how did you first meet? We knew each other from High School! Chris went to the local all boys Grammar school and I went to the all girls High School. Before setting off to go to University, Chris started working at the local hospital in the same department as my mum. My mum happened to say that she had Chris working with her and that he was a really nice young man! He later came to my sixth form ball, we hit it off straight away and went on from there. When in the relationship did he ‘pop the question?’ How did he propose? By the time we had finished University, we had been together for seven years. We went on holiday to Barcelona, and that’s where ‘it’ happened. One night Chris took me for a lovely candlelit dinner on the Marina. We sat down by the beach, and sipped the champagne he had just bought. It was at that moment I had an inclination of what was about to happen, it was the ideal, and most perfect setting. The day after I rang our parents, who knew about the proposal all along! What were the first things that you decided on?

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We decided on the date first; we knew we wanted it to be in the summer holidays; as we are both teachers. After finalising the date, we chose the wedding venues. Any differing ideas about how your big day should be or things you both wanted to do differently? Not really. We agreed on just about every part of the wedding, from the venues to the honeymoon! Was planning your big day fraught or enjoyable? Did you both contribute ideas with equal enthusiasm? Planning the big day was a little fraught as it is for any couple planning a wedding, but we got married within a year of the proposal. In the early stages we both agreed on most aspects of the wedding planning and organised it together, but after a while I took it upon myself to sort out the rest! Natalie, the wedding planner at the Hotel, was very thorough and organised. Natalie helped everything run smoothly, and put us at ease. Any pre-wedding nerves? I didn’t really have any pre-wedding nerves really as we had planned everything thoroughly, and we had a lot of help from the parents too.

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How did it feel to walk down the aisle and take your vows? We were both quite nervous on walking down the aisle, but when we saw each other we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop smiling. Chris said his vows very loudly and clearly; which was surprising as he is usually the quiet one! Who did you choose for attendants? The two adult bridesmaids were my only younger sister and cousin. The tiny bridesmaid was also my cousin. We knew we could have had more; but we wanted to keep it simple. What made you choose your dress, and can you describe it? The dress was ivory taffeta and a Mori Lee designer gown. It came from Belle and Bouquet. I originally saw them at a Wedding Fayre at a local hotel. I tried on about 30 dresses in total, and the one I choose was one that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really like on the hanger but opted to try it on anyway.

I liked the sweetheart neckline and the fact that it was simple but elegant. The assistant persuaded me to try a cathedral length veil with Swarovski crystals. It was then that I knew it was the one! Did anything funny or particularly memorable happen, highlights of speeches, special things you said to each other etc? What surprised us all the most was the amount of times that both of our Dads cried!

We were so overcome

when we saw how the castle had been decorated inside, it was stunning!

We were so overcome when we saw how the castle had been decorated inside. It was stunning and the harpist just made it perfect and heavenly. During our photos at the hotel, I saw a student from my school who looked amazed by the fact their teacher was getting married! Did you have a honeymoon? If so where, and most importantly, did you enjoy it? For our honeymoon we flew out to New

Images: Christopher Morris Photography, call 01529 463066 or see www.cmorrisphoto.co.uk.

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Weddings

uring our photos I saw a pupil from school who looked amazed at their teacher getting married!

Orleans where we stayed the night before boarding a cruise ship. The cruise took us all around the Caribbean. It was a long flight to get there, but it was well worth it! Any friends or family you'd like to thank or recognise? We would like to thank both sets of parents and our siblings for their continued support and love. We’d also like to thank our dear Grandparents who have never smiled as much as they did on that day. Also to Auntie Geraldine and Uncle Tim for their beautiful photographs, along with Uncle Kevan for providing the wedding transport for the bridesmaids. Anyone you particularly want to recommend? I highly recommend Nicci Snook who designed our three tiered chocolate, lime, coconut and lemon wedding cake. It was divine! I recommend our photographer Christopher Morris who listened to what we wanted and didn’t keep us or our guests waiting. He really involved the guests in our day.

Images: Christopher Morris Photography, call 01529 463066 or see www.cmorrisphoto.co.uk.

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The staff at the venue were fantastic, their hard work and attention to detail was outstanding.

Natalie at the hotel had the most superb organisational skills, and helped the day flow without a hitch. Expressions the hair salon and Estee Lauder makeup of Oldrids were fantastic. Heather’s Florist, KMG Bridal Studio for the stunning chair coverings and decorations, The Little Chocolatier for the delicious chocolate fountain and finally Rebecca Witts the exquisite harpist. How are you finding married life? Fantastic, it’s nice when checking in at hotels as Mr and Mrs Willerton! The downside is that you do put on a few pounds after your wedding! n

i And finally, do you have any top tips that you can give for future brides? Make sure that you try on lots of dresses even if a dress doesn’t jump out at you; it might just be the one. Also ask to sample some of the wedding cake before you go ahead with your order, to help you find the perfect cake for your big day.

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Weddings

The wedding of Laura Burrell & Liam Dighton recently took place at St Peter & St Paul’s Church, followed by a honeymoon in the Maldives.

The wedding of Kathryn Reeve & Richard Darwin recently took place at the beautiful Rockingham Castle. A honeymoon in South Africa followed.

Photographs by Nick Grove Photography, 01832 270080, www.nickgrovephotography.com.

Photographs by Dean’s Street Photography Studios, 01572 757643, www.andycrossphotographer.com.

The wedding of Rachael Butler & Christian Goodliff recently took place at St Mary’s Church A honeymoon in Cornwall followed afterward.

Jessica Sneath returned to her home county recently from Hong Kong to marry Thomas Cassidy the wedding took place at Mary Magdalene Church.

Photographs by Don Lambert Photography, 01780 757673, www.donlambert.co.uk.

Photographs by Chris Marsh, 01522 881267, www.cmprophoto.co.uk.

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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GolfSpecial

De Vere Belton Woods.

DOWN TO A

TEE n A selection of the area’s best courses.

n Don’t Try This at Home: trick shots.

n Driving and putting Tips from our golf pro.

The best courses, the best golfing gear and a few trick shots courtesy of one of the UK’s most well-renowned golf raconteurs. Welcome to our golf special, where we aim to ensure you get the very best from your game from the first to the 18th hole... Words: Rob Davis.

n Perfect your grip for maximum control.

n The best golf gadgets and clothing.

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GolfSpecial

COURSE WORK: Time spent on the golf course is always a pleasure. However, there are courses, and then, there are courses... Among the most highly regarded, across Lincolnshire and Rutland, is the home of the English Golf Union in Woodhall Spa.

Nestling in a beautiful valley just ten minutes from Stamford, Toft Country House Hotel and Golf Course was created on the grounds of a former farm and opened in 1988. The valley’s natural escarpment provides uphill and downhill tee shots which despite the leisurely greens, prove a real challenge over 6,500 yards.

The EGU’s Hotchkin course rivals Loch Lomond for the title of the There are UK’s best inland course. An £8m investment in 1995 courses — and there transformed Harry Vardon’s are courses. Here, we 1905 course, which was joined by the Bracken review the greatest course in 1998.

Belton Woods’s 2 Championship Courses the Lakes and the Woodside, along with the par 3 nine hole academy course provide 475 acres of beautifully maintained courses a stone’s throw from the A1. Golf membership costs as little as £295 and allows access to all De Vere courses across the UK. There’s also a luxurious hotel, spa, gym and excellent dining facilities on site, making full membership a viable luxury for the whole family too.

Fortunately, the aprés tee is great, with quality dining and excellent service.

Rutland Water’s Hambleton and Normanton courses provide fabulous views over the golf challenges in Hotchkin provides challenging reservoir with Hambleton a the area... bunkering and heathland traps premier par three course and really only suitable for expert Normanton newly completed, golfers. Bracken, by contrast, provides providing a good test of skill on its wider putting surfaces, fast greens and a undulating courses. more relaxing experience.

For the ultimate in luxury, the 500 acre Stapleford Park country estate’s Capability Brown landscaped championship golf course has hosted PGA Seniors and the ISPS Handa Senior Masters. The hotel also provides excellent dining in the hotel or the Old Kitchen restaurants. n

Meanwhile, Rutland’s Greetham Valley’s Lakes and Valley provides 45 holes and 276 acres of picturesque countryside. Established in 1991, Lakes is strewn with fiendish water and bunker traps to provide a real challenge, offset with beautiful rolling hills. Valley is shorter, but with a long par five, a more well-rounded test of every aspect of your game.

De Vere Belton Woods. Stapleford Park.

FINDING OUT MORE...

Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course is regarded as one of the 20 best courses in the world.

Hotchkin & Bracken Tel: 01526 352511. www.woodhallspagolf.com. Lakes & Valley Tel: 01780 460444. www.greethamvalley.co.uk. Toft Tel: 01778 590614. www.tofthotelgolf.co.uk. Hambleton & Normanton: Tel: 01572 737525. www.rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk. De Vere Belton Woods, Lakes & Woodside: Tel: 01476 593200. www.devere-hotels.co.uk. Stapleford: Tel: 01572 787044. www.staplefordpark.com.

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GolfSpecial

TRICK SHOT

Talent...

THREE OF THE BEST

TRICK SHOTS David nominates his three favourite trick shots from his show...

David Edwards is a trick shot superstar with his own international touring golf show featuring impressions, comedy and trick shots. Here, he shares with us some of his favourite shots and talks about life as an international golf raconteur... Words: Bob Steels. MEET GOLF CELEBRITY David Edwards, who is conquering the world as a trick shot golf star. He is acknowledged by most as one of the best in the business, and it’s easy to see why!

n The scissors shot: with a club in each hand David set an unbroken world record for hitting over 300 balls in three minutes!

Four times in the last 18 months, he has been in demand at top team and individual events on golf's global calendar. In September 2010 the local golfer’s skills were in demand at the last Ryder Cup clash at Celtic Manor in North Wales. “To be invited to perform in front of 2,000 at the Ryder Cup was the pinnacle for me.” David says. “I had Jeff Overton, Luke Donald and Bubba Watson hitting balls off high tees, while Ian Poulter, Corey Pavin and Miguel Angel Jimenez interrupted their practice to watch the impersonations I did of them.”

n David performing one of his favourite tricks, hitting the ball off a tee held between the teeth of one of the spectators!

Now aged 56, David is a former European Tour player himself and qualified to play in the 1981 British Open. David has now performed his show in 50 different countries Local man throughout the world. The David performs show is certainly unique, and he has performed it trick shots across the in some unique places too, world and will be including the deck of the QE2 But it is not just the top performing in the in the bay of St Andrew’s. international events that He operates with an array of UK this April... David’s show is designed for. unlikely props, such as claw He regularly performs it at hammers, hosepipes, fishing rods Corporate and special day events at and many more. His fantastic feats of clubs throughout the country. skill, timing and judgement are breathtaking. And as well as his amazing trick shot show, February saw him in action in Denmark and David also offers a brilliant on-course video March took him to Holland. But April will be commentary which is laced with his wit and the busiest month of all for David as he humour. It’s then all played back on a big screen makes his sixth trip to the Volvo China Open. during the presentation dinner that follows. In all, he will spend three weeks in Asia per“It has been known to make grown men forming shows at different events — including cry!” quipped David mischievously! n his first ever visit to the Malaysian Open.

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n Audience participation: Harry Redknapp hits a ball off a high tee during the David’s hilarious trick shot show. David performs his trick shot show throughout the world and will be touring Asia in April before returning to the UK. For David’s appearences see www.david-edwards.co.uk.

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3. 2.

GOLFWARE THAT’S

SIMPLY PAR-FECT 1. Ping i20 Clubs, driver £269, three wood (not pictured) £164 and rescue club £129. 2. Galvin Green Gore-Tex Jacket, ladies and mens versions available £239. 3. Scotty Cameron Putter, California £229. 4. Power Kaddy Sport, folding powered cart £699. Also available: Freeway model, with conventional battery, special price £299. 5. Nike Tank Top £33.95 and Polo Shirt, in blue £29.95. 6. Garmin GPS Watch, Approach S1 for golfers £179. 7. Green Lamb Black Gilet, ladies, £44.95. 8. Laser Range Finder by Bushnell £229.95. 9. Taylor Made Golf Bag £100. 10. Ladies’ Golf Shoes Foot Joy pink £99.95. Footjoy blue £74.95. 11. Golf Bags Ping cart bag Frontier LT £109 with cool pouch. Titleist £135.

Above items available from Belton Woods Golf Shop, De Vere Belton Woods Nr Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2LN Telephone: 01476 593200.

11. 10.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP THE PERFECT GIFT THE PERFECT GIFT for couples and families, membership to a 4 star resort hotel’s leisure facilities is a shrewd investment for families seeking quality time together... and apart!

Access to golf & spa facilities at Belton Woods near Grantham starts at just £295 for membership. Meanwhile Stapleford Park Country House Hotel near Melton Mowbray offers golfing membership from £200 lasting from April to September. Both venues also offer packages which include access to the gym, pool, spa and concessionary offers on food and dining so the whole family can enjoy membership. n

8. 7.

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GolfSpecial

0-120MPH In 1.25 Seconds A proficient golf swing will take just 1.25 seconds to reach 120mph. With that kind of force, even a slight error in stance or grip can have sufficient consequences to really wreck your game. Fortunately, one of the county’s rising stars in golf, Nick Garland, is here to offer some advice... Words: Rob Davis. BACK TO BASICS: According to professional golf tutor Mark Jackson, who has over 30 years experience, even the most proficient golfer can still benefit from being reminded of the basics that can make or break your game. “Even professional golfers need regular tuition.” says Mark. “It’s like an MOT for your game.” The tutor’s current protegé is Nick Garland, who, after just four years, has already set a course record at the 72-par Bourne’s Toft Golf Course, coming nine under par at 63. He will compete in 2012’s Euro Pro tournament as a professional working under Mark’s watchful eye.

THE RIGHT CLUB

best swing is a smooth, controlled swing.” “Practice is crucial, even for professionals and accomplished golfers, but all too often that just means an hour on the driving range.” Putting is described by Mark as one of golf’s most neglected skills, and as he points out, a poor drive and a missed put both count equally on the score card. “The best tip I can offer, however, is to read your game.” says Mark. “The end position of the ball will tell you everything you need to know about what occurred during your swing. It’s the best kind of feedback you have, yet few golfers identify their problems by looking at where their ball ends up.”

Putting is a neglected skill... a missed put has the same effect on your score card as a missed drive...

Here, Nick and Mark go back to basics and reveal the mistakes that even expert golfers make in then driving and putting in a bit to improve your game.

“Above all, our driving and putting pitfalls opposite will really help to refine your game and make sure that each shot counts.” n

“Generally it’s good to relax into your stance and don’t tense up.” says Mark. “I always say that tight muscles are weak muscles, and the

Mark and Nick are based at Toft Golf Club near Bourne; www.tofthotelgolf.co.uk.

Nick reviews the clubs that no golfer should be without...

1. A good long range driver for proficient golfers is essential; 300yd Titleist 910DZ driver, £299. 2. Putters are subject to personal taste but we love this Ping Anser heel putter, £120. 3. Ensure you have a good club for getting out of hazards; 60° lob wedge by Mizumo, £99. 4. Ping i15 driver is a great utility/rescue club useful for getting out of the rough at £129. 5. A good 6-Iron is great for fairway, rough and approach shots; this Muzuno is £99.

4. 1. 3. 2.

3 - Pride APR 117_Layout 2 12/03/2012 11:41 Page 119

PERFECT YOUR

DRIVE... The tiniest fundamental error in your swing will result in misjudged direction and distance...

“It’s essential your club face is square to your target.” says Mark. If a face is open the ball will veer to the right, if it’s closed it’ll veer to the left.

The correct grip is essential to hit the ball square to the club face — see below!

Your weight should be slightly biased to your right.

Square your shoulders at the point of contact and follow through high with your weight on the outside of your left foot. A controlled swing is always better than a fast swing. n

PERFECT YOUR

PUTTING... Perfecting the under-valued art of putting can take many shots off your overall score...

Choose a putter that suits you — this mallet putter has grooves that can be used to line-up your put for accuracy.

Use a light grip akin to a tube of toothpaste with the cap off. 95% of golfers’ putting grips are too tight!

GET A GRIP! A better grip will afford you more control, says Mark

The eyes should be directly over the ball — test this by dropping a ball directly below your eyes.

Adopt a long, smooth stroke rather than a rap for maximum control and accuracy. Practice your putting as diligently as your stroke! n

Hands too far around your club clockwise will result in a closed face.

Hands too far around the club anti-clockwise will result in an open club face.

A grip with thumbs on the top of the club will see the ball hit squarely.

3 - Pride APR 117_Layout 2 12/03/2012 15:26 Page 120

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MotoringNews Model Launches & Dealership News from across Lincolnshire

Sports

Executive

Prestige

News In Brief Artisan Motoring from Jaguar’s XK... EXCLUSIVE: Jaguar’s XK is now available in an exclusive Artisan SE trim. The model features special paintwork, Scraffito grain hide 16-way adjustable seats and special walnut veneers. The Artisan SE is available from this month from £77,350 for the coupé to £82,500 for the convertible.

Prices Confirmed for Lexus’s GS BMW should be worried! Lexus has just confirmed pricing of its GS range, on sale from midJune. Prices are from £32,995 for the GS250SE and standard equipment including heated and air conditioned leather seats, cruise control and auto lights and wipers. At that price, the Lexus is set to prove a formidable rival to the BMW 5-Series.

Meet the Macan — Porsche’s Off-Road Baby... THE BABY CAYENNE: Porsche’s small SUV will be named Macan when it launches next year. This car will challenge BMW’s X3, Audi’s Q5 and Range Rover’s Evoke with a price tag of around £40,000.

2012 Range Rover Revamp... • New Westminster model celebrates 10th anniversary... • Added style and comfort with Supercharged Autobiography... THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER: 2012’s Range Rover is refreshed with a new model designed to offer even greater luxury for well-heeled motorists.

Range Rover Seat Style Pack as standard, providing rear passengers with reclining, heated, air conditioned seats and aircraft style head restraints.

Westminster Customers can specify a huge The Westminster model effectively number of veneers, hides and interior replaces the previous Vogue and finishers and can opt for a V8 diesel Vogue SE models, with heated unit or a supercharged petrol and air conditioned seats, a engine. The 2012 1,200w Harmon Kardon Performance sound system and piano Range Rover Our recommendation is black lacquer trim. the V8 diesel which

offers higher

An electric sunroof, achieves 30.1mpg specification and a combined and reaches auto lights and wipers, parking sensors, and simplified model cruising speed in under heated steering wheel eight seconds. line-up... are also standard, and the The supercharged version car features a tweaked has weaker fuel economy, just version of Land Rover’s V8 diesel. 19mpg, but shaves almost two seconds Autobiography Meanwhile the current Autobiography is replaced with an even plusher version which offers the

off the diesel’s 0-60mph figure. The facelift will be the last hurrah before an all-new Range Rover in 2013. Prices start from just under £70,000 and rise to £86,895 — deliveries for the new model will begin this month. n

Find Out More MY2012 Range Rover On Sale: April 2012. Price: From £69,995.

This Month: Convertible models and fantasy sports cars for summer...

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SportsCars

Hard Driving

Soft Tops As a tempestuous spring gives way to warmer weather, now is the time to invest in the latest luxury soft tops. This month we take our pick of the plushest, smoothest summer GTs... Words: Rob Davis.

Mercedes’s brand new SL reaches showrooms this month — our trio comprises the latest £80,000 two seater GTs.

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BMW M6 cOnV

4.4V8 £98,995

For: Usable rear seats. Against: More expensive than SL. M-SPORT: BMW’s tuning arm, home of the fire-breathing M5, has turned its attentions to the 6-Series, and the M6 is the result. With four seats, it’s more practical than the Mercedes, especially as the fabric soft-top doesn’t take up too much boot space. However, it’s more expensive than the (anticipated) price of the SL, and less economical than its rival, achieving just 28mpg. On balance, our recommendation would be the SL, even if the M6 is likely to provide a sharper, more engaging drive. n

MercedeS SL 500 4.6V8 £80,000 (eST) For: More sporty than outgoing model. Against: Less exclusive than SLS. SPORTY, LIGHTWEIGHT: that’s what SL, the acronym for Mercedes Benz’s top of the range sports car, stands for. Over successive generations (the SL first appeared in 1954), the car has become weightier, but faster and more technology laden. It’s now a sophisticated two-seater grand tourer with prices ranging from around £70,000 to over £150,000 for sporty AMG derivatives. Order books for the new 2012 version open this month with deliveries in June or July, and the overriding theme of the new model is lighter, and sportier. The new model is made entirely of aluminium, and its thirsty engines have been replaced by smaller but more efficient V6 and V8 units.

ASTOn MArTin VAnTAge £84,995 styling revisions, which is no bad thing. Despite the fact that both models are two-seater flagship sports coupés, the SLS, with its Gullwing doors and 1950s styling, has been met with a great response.

The new SL is a worthy range-topper; leaner, lighter, powerful and luxurious!

At the top of the line is the SL500 with its 4.6V8, replacing the outgoing 5.4V8 to provide 22% better economy. The smaller SL350, with its V6 unit, will achieve over 41mpg, making it as economical as the average family car — an impressive achievement given its sporting pedigree. Talking of sporting credentials, the car has taken Mercedes’s SLS as inspiration for its

The SL adopts the SLS’s nose, bullseye air vents, red highlights and bootlid coachline. Priced at around £80,000, the car looks like spectacularly good value next to the £168,000 SLS, and offers lavish standard equipment.

Powered and heated leather seats, sat nav, electric windows and mirrors, Bluetooth and cruise control plus electric hard-top roof are all standard. Distronic adaptive cruise control and ‘magic roof’ with variable opacity are options.

For: Manual gearbox available. Against: More expensive than SL. DUE FOR DELIVERY in Summer 2012, the Aston Vantage is the third GT due to arrive this year. A six speed manual will please motoring purists, whilst the V8 engine is revised and a V12 range-topper badged Zagato will arrive later in the year. The powerful GT will also yield a new aerodynamic styling package which should improve the already pretty car’s looks further. n

Luxurious, sporty, and a credible flagship, the model is certainly impressive. We’ve not yet driven the SL, but look forward to finding out how it fairs against flagship grand tourers from BMW and Aston Martin. n

Our Verdict: The SL improves on the outgoing model in every respect — but Aston’s Vantage looks like a better bet in terms of style and value.

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four Seaters

BMW 3-SerieS 320i Se £35,310 For: Four good-sized seats. Economy. Against: New model due later this year. SHARP AND TALENTED: BMW’s 3-Series has always provided an excellent drive, even in a convertible variant. With four good-sized seats and a decent boot, the car is certainly practical, and its folding hard-top is a great way to ensure all-year-round motoring with a sleek and snug coupé like profile for cooler months. With a sharp drive and good blend of power and economy (this petrol version will achieve 48mpg on motorways but reach 60mph in less than 10 seconds) it’s a winner. The trouble is, a new saloon has just been launched, so a fresh convertible is just around the corner! n

four Seaters

Supercar convertibles

ferrAri cALifOrniA £152,086

Audi A5 cOnV 2.0TfSi £35,390 For: Excellent Quattro drivetrain. Fast. Against: None. SURE-FOOTED but great to drive, Audi’s Quattro 4x4 equipped A5 is a stunning four seater convertible. The car features plenty of standard kit, and whilst it’s a soft-top rather than a coupé/cabriolet like the 3-Series, the car is snug and warm all year round. 60mph is reached in just over seven seconds, making the A5 quicker than the BMW, and its seven-speed transmission makes the car a cinch to drive. Arguably, the Audi is a sleeker, curvier car, better to look at and great to be seen in, even if some believe the BMW offers a sharper drive. n

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For: Phenomenal performance. Against: Price. Complicated traction control.

Fortunately, the Ferrari’s cabin is less forgiving and more comfortable than the average F1 car. It’s trimmed in hide with a leather-trimmed dash and infotainment system.

The car should really be considered a two-seater. A 2+2 option does enable the placement of a small infant in a Ferrari branded car seat — though anyone old enough to appreciate the car’s 460bhp will ownership is doubtless find themselves uncomfortably cramped.

THE ULTIMATE fantasy sports car, Ferrari’s California is two years old now, but its desirability definitely hasn’t subsided. Undercutting other Ferrari models considerably, the two-seater soft-top provides a glorious soundtrack courtesy of V8 4.2 litre pipes, and a swooping profile so pretty it’s more work of art than engineering masterpiece.

Ferrari more accessible thanks to the California, which offers phenomenal track performance...

Unfortunately, its traction control and paddle-shift is also an engineering masterpiece and has the complicated controls to prove it. Other GT cars are simpler to drive, and more oriented towards comfortable cruising than F1 fantasies.

There’s no badge kudos like that of the galloping horse, but for the consumer, cheaper and more well-rounded GT cruisers for the county’s rough twisty roads are available.

However, even if the Mercedes SL is better equipped and the Aston Martin more luxurious, there are few cars that will raise eyebrows like the Ferrari. n

Our Verdict: The Ferrari and R8 are fast, not to mention cheaper and easier to live with than the Ghost...

3 - Pride APR 117_Layout 2 12/03/2012 11:43 Page 127

Supercar convertibles

rOLLS rOyce ghOST dhc 6.0V12 £332,400

For: Heritage, monstrous performance. Against: Astronomical price, bluff shape.

when shopping for a well-equipped and fast GT. The astronomical cost of motoring doesn’t stop there, either. Fuel economy is a mere 18mpg combined and just 12mpg in town. Still, the Ghost is extremely well-equipped, with a lavish choice of hides, veneers, lambswool carpets and dash inlays.

IMPOSING, but certainly not as sleek as its rival, the Rolls Royce Ghost takes GT motoring to a whole new level. An enormous 6.7 V12 engine is needed to heave the car to 60mph, which it does with aplomb; cruising speed is reached in just 5.6 seconds and the car will reach 150mph flat out.

Church organ style heating pulls and chromed controls invoke a sense of heritage, but modern technology The Rolls employed in the car includes is bluff and adaptive cruise, a head-up square compared display projected onto the windscreen and night vision.

to rivals, but its engine is mighty!

There’s a price to pay for Rolls Royce ownership in every respect, however. £332,400 is a ridiculous price to pay for a car which, arguably, is not three times ‘better’ than its rivals no matter what your preferences

There’s no denying the Ghost’s heritage, but the model also carries over the styling of previous generations, making the car look rather square and bluff next to its modern rivals.

The Ghost is certainly exclusive, definitely distinctive and extremely expensive, but rivals offer alternatives that are just as compelling. n

The Rolls Royce may be a prestigious, powerful motor... but its £330,000 price tag leads one to question its value next to supercar rivals from Mercedes, Aston Martin and even Ferrari! Supercar convertibles

Audi r8 Spider

5.2 fSi Quattro £123,020

For: Power, ability to customise. Against: Styling may be too much for some. OVER THE TOP in every respect, the R8 is a true supercar from a manufacturer which also makes family cars you can use every day. Whilst the R8 may be powerful and aggressive looking, it’s also easy to drive and surefooted thanks to R-Tronic automatic transmission and Quattro four wheel drive. Its cabin is also surprisingly comfortable, spacious and car-like; nappa leather seats, sat nav, Bluetooth, parking sensors and electric windows are all

standard, but cruise control remains optional, an odd omission on a GT with a six-figure price. Audi does, in addition, provides the option to personalise your R8 with a series of Exclusive styling touches designed to create a more bespoke, ‘special’ R8. A fabric roof swoops into the luggage area of the R8 behind the driver to leave a sleek coachline, but with huge exhaust pipes and spoiler, the styling may prove a little aggressive for some. At £123,000 the V10 R8 is rather good value next to rivals, and performance is electrifying; 60mph is reached in just 4.1 seconds, with 194mph the maximum speed where safe and legal... so perhaps, on a track day! n

Coming Soon... MERCEDES ML-CLASS APRIL 2012, £45,000-£100,000 Mercedes’s SUV appears in an allnew guise with V6 and V8 engines promising more economy and power.

AUDI A6 ALLROAD APRIL 2012, £43,145 Available to order now, Audi’s A6 Allroad is a half-estate half-off-roader model which, for £43,000, is luxurious, capable and cheaper to run than a full 4x4.

BMW X6 JUNE 2012, £46,725 BMW’s odd 4x4/SUV/coupé oddball receives a facelift with a new 3.0V6 twin turbo diesel engine. The new model will return 37mpg, and will have more standard equipment.

FORD MONDEO SPRING 2013, £18,500-£30,000 The UK’s favourite family car appears in an all-new guise with EcoBoost engines and a hybrid model for company car drivers.

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for 3 & 4 Year Olds. n Preparatory School for 4-11yr olds.

n 15 or fewer pupils to a classroom. n Early reading, writing and maths. n Forest School in our own woodland.

Little Dragons at St George’s Preparatory School

126 London Road, Boston, Lincs PE21 7HB

Call for details on: 01205 317600 Website: www.saintgeorgesprep.co.uk Email: enquiries@saintgeorgesprep.co.uk

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experience for all abilities in our grammar and mainstream classes High quality teaching and support staff Fast tracking for early exam entry in Years 9 & 10

• Creative curriculum • •

tailored to individual needs for all abilities Safe, caring and supportive environment High standards of behaviour with an emphasis on teaching and learning

King Edward VI Humanities College West End, Spilsby, Lincs PE23 5EW Tel: 01790 753260 Fax: 01790 754495 Website: www.king-edward.lincs.sch.uk Big Enough to Matter: Small Enough to Care...

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AndFinally...

arriage is a great institution… but who wants to live in an institution? Quipped Groucho Marx in the film Animal Crackers.

more fashionable than faith. Relationships are hard, and with the advent of feminism, women are now expected to hold down successful careers as well as taking on the majority of their traditional duties as homemaker and raiser of children. This huge increase in workload has put undue strain on the traditional family unit where ever more is expected of mum.

The answer, is more couples this year than in the last four decades. Research released last month by the ONS reveals that 2011 saw a 3.7% increase in the number of marriages in the county. This ends a 40 year decline, with a total of 240,100 marriages in the UK in total and around 3,500 in Lincolnshire and Rutland.

Meanwhile, successful dads work ever greater hours too — in fact, men in the UK work longer hours than in any other EU country; an average of 42.7 hours which betters France, Spain and even Germany, according to ONS research.

A Great Institution

In an age when couples co-habit and have children outside of marriage, placing the financial security of owning a home above hosting a wedding, it’s interesting that marriage looks like it’s making a comeback. That fact can only be a good thing for the family unit.

More church weddings will protect some of the area’s most beautiful buildings, such as our region’s 273 Grade I listed churches... Words: Rob Davis.

Marriage is akin to a utility company requiring a minimum sign-up period or an employer’s required notice period. If an arrangement is a little more difficult to get out of, doing so is unusually less of an impulsive decision and more of a considered response, resulting in more stability.

RutlandPride T H E

H I G H

RUTLAN D,

E T Y S O C I

STAMFO RD

will find to frequent the area’s 750 churches is for matches, hatches and dispatches.

Look at the couples we feature in Pride each month and you’ll see that marriage is still relevant and meaningful to all those couples who choose to declare their love publicly. Try telling any of our featured couples that marriage is no longer relevant or that the difference between co-habitation and marriage is negligible.

Unless celebration of these life events continues, an increasing number of our most beautiful buildings will fall into disrepair, perhaps even redundancy.

A third reason for valuing marriage is that weddings and other celebrations not only bring friends and family together to acknowledge a happy milestone in life, also safeguarding some of our oldest and most important buildings.

But there are happier and somewhat less dry reasons why it’s good to see that marriage has re-entered couples’ priorities. Last year’s Royal Wedding saw marriage once again regarded as a celebration, rather than a mere piece of paper or change in legal status. William and Kate reminded us that the purpose of

COVERI NG

a wedding is a statement of love as well as a statement of intent to remain together.

With interest in Sunday worship waning, the only occasions many

LincolnshirePride

E A Z I N M A G

T H E

NSHIRE OF LINCOL & THE REST

H I G H

S O C I E T Y

IF YOU’RE PROUD OF LINCOLNSH IRE,

M A G A Z I N E

READ LINCOLNSH IRE

PRIDE

Society Magazine - Issue 118

Magazine

E BARNSDAL GARDENS

y Geoff’s Legac

EATING OUT IN RUTL AND Spring Dining

LE MEMORAB FASHION

es Party Dress

- £3.70 May 2012

High Society

HIGH SOCIETY SPECIAL Social Events

HOMES & GARDENS

Country Homes

COUNTRYSIDE SKILLS Arts and Crafts

Our Next Editions... A Day In The Life: The extraordinary daily lives of some of the area’s more unusual people.

LincolnshirePride - The High

High Society RutlandPride - The

Party D resses

The Churches Conservation Trust is working hard in the area to requisition mothballed churches as community buildings, especially those with Grade II* and the most important buildings of all, the 273 Grade I listed churches in the region. There would be, of course, no need to do so if church attendance was maintained and if they once again played a part in the celebration of our life events. It is, however, perhaps the best one can hope for in an age where science is

May Issue 118 - £3.70

With such stresses on modern relationships, any glue that can effectively bind couples together strongly enough to ensure they keep calm and carry on has to be a good thing. If not a guarantee, the institution of marriage could at least still offer a helping hand to create the basis for a long and happy relationship for couples to enjoy for centuries to come. Personally, I think I’ve sussed the secret to being the man in a successful relationship, as summed up quite nicely by another often quoted wit, Ogden Nash. “To keep your marriage cup brimming with love,” he advised, “Whenever you’re wrong, admit it. Whenever you’re right, shut up.” Great advice for any man to heed. n Do you agree? Disagree? Let us know by emailing editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

On Sale from 22nd April 2012.

The Good Spa Guide: A round-up of the area’s most relaxing spas and fitness venues.

County Show Preview: The area’s forthcoming country shows and entertainment.

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