Lincolnshire Pride August 2020

READ

LINCOLNSHIRE

PRIDE LINCOLNSHIRE’S FINEST MAGAZINE

Out & About in Post-Lockdown Lincolnshire

Lincoln’s Very Best Buildings, plus Gardens & Restaurants to Visit

At Home with Mrs Smith in Navenby

Look into the Past with Lincolnshire’s 102-year old Social Historian

£4.50

FREE ONLINE

WELCOME

M

y sincere apologies if this strikes a little bit of a gloomy note, but I feel compelled to point out that it isn’t over yet.

Quite the opposite, in fact. This is when the hard work begins. Local businesses are due to reopen as I write this, and now, more than ever, they need our support.

The hospitality industry, for example, employs 3.2m people across the country, and contributes £130bn to the economy each year. The sector mostly comprises SMEs with fewer than 30 employees. Add to that independent retailers, small independent financial advisors, interior designers or kitchen design firms and you’ll find it’s a similar story: many of Pride’s advertisers are just these type of local, customer-service focused businesses who need (and deserve) our loyalty and custom in the coming year or two when, inevitably, we’ll all be focused on recovery.

We’ll be featuring many local businesses in the coming months, doing our very best to promote to our readership the merits of thinking local; buying local and supporting the independent businesses that are so important to our economy.

This month we’ve plenty for readers to enjoy, from the best buildings in the historic City of Lincoln to the reopening of Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby, and a collection of the county’s best restaurants, open again and ready to serve up some delicious dishes with superb local ingredients.

Executive Editor Best wishes for a wonderful month!

rob@pridemagazines.co.uk

3

PICTURE THIS

Mon Dieu! We’re Seeing Red! LINCOLNSHIRE’S RED ARROWS FLY OVER LONDON TO CELEBRATE CAPITAL’S LEGION D’HONNEUR AWARD...

RED ARROWS Lincolnshire’s Red Arrows helped the capital to celebrate being awarded France’s highest honour last month as President Macron visited London to mark 80 years since De Gaulle’s historic broadcast from London to Occupied France and the UK Armed Forces were proud to host the French President to the city.

As a climax to end the day’s events, the RAF’s Red Arrows, flying alongside their French counterparts, La Patrouille de France, performed a spectacular

flypast over Downing Street where President Macron and the Prime Minister Boris Johnson looked on.

Earlier in the day, the two display teams performed a flypast over commemorations in Paris.

The visit highlighted the co-operation between the UK and France during the Second World War but also represented the two nations’ commitment to continue to work together on defence matters in the future. n Image: Dave Jenkins, MOD.

NEWS & EVENTS

County’s Pint-Sized Pub opens

REOPENING FOR CLEETHORPES PUB THAT’S THE UK’S SMALLEST, AT JUST 8FT X 8FT! CLEETHORPES Right across Lincolnshire the hospitality industry has reopened... but social distancing is a little tricky at the world’s smallest pub, located in Cleethorpes.

Measuring just eight feet by eight feet, there’s pretty much standing room only, but still the place packs in cask ales and lagers, spirits and wines, plus 20 different ciders.

The Signal Box is located adjacent to Cleethorpes Coastal Light Railway and was established in 2006.

Rules on social distancing mean that just one drinker can be accommodated, so a crowd funding campaign entitled Keep Us On Track has been established to ensure the pub can survive the post-Covid economy.

The pub’s popular Cleethorpes Folk & Cider Festival has also been rescheduled for August 29th to 31st.

The hospitality sector is crucial as it employs 3.2m people nationally - the third largest employment sector in the UK after the healthcare

Running for the RAF...

RAF CONINGSBY PERSONNEL RUN 102KM TO CELEBRATE 102 YEARS OF THE RAF

8

industry - which employs 1.9m people including 1.45m in the NHS - and the MOD which employs 250,000 civilians and military personnel. The sector

has a turnover of £130bn but 99% of hospitality businesses are SMEs, and for that reason it’s the most vulnerable sector of the economy. n

CONINGSBY Four personnel from RAF Coningsby recently completed a fundraising challenge to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

The team ran a combined total of 102km around the airfield to commemorate 102 years since the Royal Air Force was formed.

The team consisted of Cpl Chris Partridge, Charlie Merriman, Dylan Marte and Andrew Pue. All four are members of C4i Squadron at RAF Coningsby.

Chris Partridge said: “All four of us have seen first-hand the

RAF Benevolent Fund’s fantastic work, so we decided to fund raise as a team.

We had originally entered the Snowdon24 challenge, but sadly this was cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

However, we still wanted to help support the fund during this difficult time.

There were a few tears at the end, but we all managed to complete the challenge.”

The team have raised more than £1,000 so far.

You can support the team by donating through their fundraising page on the Just Giving website. n

NEWARK

SCUNTHORPE A Scunthorpe born journalist is about to take the top job at the Evening Standard, the second largest provincial newspaper in the UK, with a print run of over 780,000.

Emily Sheffield is the sister of Samantha Cameron and the former Deputy Editor of British Vogue. A former Guardian journalist, already a columnist for the newspaper, and the founder of digital news brand This Much I

Know, Emily will take over from former chancellor George Osborne as Pride goes to press, and head up the 200-year old newspaper.

Evgeny Lebedev is the owner of the ES and its sister newspaper the Independent.

“We look forward to a bright future with a brilliant new editor who has read, written and breathed the Evening Standard for 20 years,” he said. n Image: www.standard.co.uk.

Ricky Passes in Skegness

CROONER RICKY VALANCE TOLD LAURA HE LOVED HER BACK IN 1960 AND LATER LIVED IN SKEGNESS

Looking out for a new home? Perhaps somewhere bijou with a bit of garden? Do you have a spare £10m? If so, you’re in luck.

Newark businessman and owner of Kelham Hall Jonathan Pass has put the property on the market with Christie & Co with an instructed price of £10m.

Jonathan purchased the property from Newark & Sherwood DC for £4m.

It has consent for a 103-bedroom hotel with spa and is a part-Grade I listed with 42 acres of grounds.

Jonathan is an experienced hotelier who also owned Lincoln’s Charlotte House. n

SKEGNESS Mellifluous Welsh crooner Ricky Valance has died in his home in Skegness at the age of 84. The singer’s most famous his in 1960 was Tell Laura I Love Her, about a boy called Tommy who tried to collect enough money to marry his eponymous girlfriend.

The singer’s follow-up singles, Movin’ Away and Jimmy’s Girl sold in excess of 100,000 copies each and saw the singer top the charts in a number of countries.

Ricky released his last single, Welcome Home in 2017 to raise money for the RAF Museum and RAF Association. n

£120,000,000

TOP JOB AT ‘ES’ FOR LINCOLNSHIRE’S EMILY

LINCOLN Over 7.5km and £120m, Lincoln’s Eastern Bypass is ready to open this autumn. The County Council has worked with the City of Lincoln Council, NKDC and WLDC to bring the project to completion. The new road will open 80 years after the plans were first drawn up, proving that the best things - or at least the most essential - come to those who wait! n

Emily’s New Role

The £10m ‘des res’ looking for new owners in Newark...

LOCAL

NEWS In Brief

LINCOLNSHIRE x

CHIEF OF POLICE BILL SKELLY RETIRES

After 31 years in policing Mr Skelly has announced he will step down from his role on December 18th 2020.

He said: “It’s been a privilege and an honour to lead this force.

There have been many challenges during my four years as Chief here in Lincolnshire and what I’ve seen is a workforce who constantly rise up and respond to any difficulties put in their path.”

“I am proud to have been amongst colleagues who come into work day in, and day out, determined to make a difference and improve the lives of others wherever they can.” n 9

NEWS & EVENTS

Supercentenarian Violet’s long life

A LOOK BACK AT THE LIFE OF LOCAL SUPERCENTENARIAN WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY...

SPALDING The third oldest supercentenarian in the UK recently died in Spalding at the amazing age of 112.

Violet Davies-Evans was just one day younger than the two oldest people, who share the birthdate of March 29, 1908.

Born in Sutterton, the third sibling of four sisters and a brother, she had lived in a handful of places around the country. Her nephew Mike Lawton said she was “definitely a real character”, describing her as a mixture of a very kindly aunt and a cross between the character Hyacinth Bucket in the TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances and the late actress Joan Sanderson.

After her first job at drapery and haberdashery store Pennington’s in Spalding’s Hall Place, Violet became a beauty specialist working in London for Elizabeth Arden –

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

HAILING HOME GROWN HEROES...

Boston’s former Fleet Street editor, Rev John King, has launched a blog during the lockdown to spark a conversation about Christianity.

In one of the first of his ‘Humpty Dumpty’ blogs he cites Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England and a past pupil of the town’s Grammar School, as an example of something good coming from Lincolnshire. n

10

founder of the famous cosmetics company - she had several well-to-do clients.

Throughout her life, she would never wash her face, preferring cleansing creams which kept her skin looking younger.

Violet (née Head) married her talented and well-respected teacher husband Hubert in 1938 and together they enjoyed a busy social life with many famous friends.

At the start of World War Two, Elizabeth Arden offered Violet the relative safety of a job in America but she turned it down, preferring to stay in Marble Arch.

When Hubert passed away in 1975, Violet moved back to her native Lincolnshire.

Violet had a penchant for red wine and even up to and beyond 100 years old she would regularly order a case from specialist Laithwaite’s.

FreshLinc Thanks NHS DELIVERING A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL THE LOCAL TRANSPORT WORKERS AND THE NHS STAFF TOO...

SPALDING Andy Marchant, Fleet Engineer for FreshLinc was recently sent in a picture of a lorry that had been drawn by Olivia a 6 year old daughter of one of his suppliers. Andy and the senior management team thought it such a fitting tribute to all transport workers and the NHS that they had it transformed into a huge vinyl wrap to go onto one of their trailers that delivers local produce around the UK and to say a big thank you to all the local NHS and key workers.

They hoped that it would puts a smile on people’s faces and shows all the workers they are all very much appreciated. n

11

THE OLD FORGE Middlegate Road | Frampton | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE20 1AW

• Unique Period Three Bedroomed Cottage in Highly Desirable Village Location • Sympathetically Updated to Include Large Open Plan Living Spaces • Features Include Inglenook Fireplace, Wood Burning Stove, Exposed Beams, Tiled Floors and a Superb Galleried Landing FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH • New Central Heating System to Include a New Boiler & Radiators VACANT POSSESSION • Desirable Rural Location, Integral Garaging, Gardens & Parking Subject To Contract • Potential for Further Bedrooms Subject to Planning Consent

£349,950

12 MILLERS GATE Sibsey | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE22 0TP

• Superb Four Bedroomed Detached Modern Home • Versatile Living Accommodation, with great family layout on an Executive Cul de Sac • Boasts a Spacious Hall, Sitting Room and Conservatory, Dining Room, Double Garage, • Utility room and downstairs w.c., Well Apportioned Garden

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION, NO ONWARD CHAIN

£275,000 Subject To Contract

BYREDOWN Pode Lane | Old Leake | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE22 9NB

• Spacious and Characterful Four Bedroomed Family Home • Flexible Layout with Two Reception Rooms and Four Bedrooms • Home Office Capability with Multiple Sockets • Kitchen with Separate Snug, Utility, WC and Workshop • Rear Garden with Open Field Views, Parking • Popular Village Location Within a Short Walk of All Amenities

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION

£325,000 Subject To Contract

14

Mulberry House, Hundleby, Spilsby

£650,000

Wainfleet Road, Boston

£475,000

This fabulous five bedroom country home is located between the market towns of Spilsby and Horncastle at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds and has been fitted to an impeccably high standard throughout. With three beautifully appointed reception rooms in addition to a superb bespoke kitchen with dining and sitting areas off, the property enjoys two en-suite bathrooms, solid oak floors and three Clearview wood burning stoves.

This spacious four bedroom period property has three reception rooms and has undergone a total refurbishment in the last couple of years and now enjoys a wonderful mixture of character features alongside more contemporary fixtures and fittings. The superb new kitchen runs across the back of the property and has two sets of bi-fold doors that fully open out onto a split level patio area. There is extensive parking for many vehicles and access at the side down to a detached triple garage. The property is offered with NO CHAIN.

Manor Road, Kirton

Witham Bank West, Boston

£349,950

A spacious and immaculately presented property within walking distance of the village. Almost totally renovated in recent years this dormer style bungalow has two well- appointed double bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor and a master suite with full bathroom on the first floor.

A light-filled garden room overlooks an attractive, private and beautifully well stocked garden and has French doors opening out onto the patio.

£315,000

This beautiful four bedroom Georgian property enjoys an established plot of just over half an acre subject to survey and an attractive riverside aspect.

It offers versatile accommodation arranged over three storeys, with a layout which can also include a self-contained annexe to the ground floor. The property has two kitchens, bathroom or shower room facilities to each floor and 4-5 reception rooms depending on personal preference. It has a long, private driveway and a detached double garage.

16

LINCOLN’S BEST BUILDINGS

Lincoln in Ten

BUILDINGS

This month we explore a few of the 50 buildings that local author Daniel Codd thinks has made Lincoln what is is today...

Words: Daniel Codd.

THE FIRST SETTLERS came to Lincoln around the first century BC, settling around the area we now know as the Brayford. The population of Roman Lindum and William the Conqueror’s Norman legacy all evolved the city, but even recently, the city is a constantly evolving tapestry of civilisation - think about the way the University has changed Lincoln’s look.

Local author Daniel Codd loves the way a city’s evolution can be seen through its buildings. Architecture, culture and the economy are intrinsically linked, which is why, by examining buildings, we’re also examining our history and our culture.

That’s why Daniel has written his book, Lincoln in 50 Buildings, taking examples from across the city of how our history is written in stone... and brick... and slate.

“It is no overstatement to say that Lincoln’s story is told in its buildings,” says Danie. “This is at its most obvious in the cathedral quarter, where the city’s Norman castle and medieval Bishop’s Palace jostle for space.”

BISHOP’S PALACE...

“Looming over everything is the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral.

This part of Lincoln is approached by way of the famous Steep Hill, which is lined with houses that date back to the medieval era, like the Jews House and Norman House.”

“However, beyond this area, the city features many other buildings from almost every era throughout history, with Roman remains, medieval religious ruins, Tudor, Stuart and Georgian houses, and many fascinating buildings from the Victorian age and the twentieth century up to the present day, including Lincoln’s infamous Victorian prison and the Theatre Royal that has entertained the people of Lincoln for over 200 years. Each has its own story, and many have a hidden history behind the façade.”

Here, we’ve featured just10 buildings which have written the history of Lincoln. For the complete list though, we recommend Daniel’s excellent book, available from local bookshops. n

>>

The foundation of Lincoln’s Bishop’s Palace is commonly ascribed to Lincoln’s 4th bishop, Robert de Chesney, on account of a charter given to him by King Henry II c. 1155, although it is possible a bishop’s residence existed in some form on the site earlier that century. Development of the palace continued under subsequent medieval bishops, who in the late twelfth century introduced the Lower East Hall (now subterranean, its stone bays resembling a cellar) and the dominating West Hall.

After Henry VIII suppressed the monasteries, going so far as to initiate the looting of the adjacent cathedral in 1540 and 1548, the palace’s splendor fell steadily into decline. It was abandoned as a residence in the early seventeenth century, and the end came on 30 June 1648 during the civil wars, when it was plundered, burnt and left in ruins.

This Victorian palace is known as Edward King House. The diocese is still administered from here, although it only served as the bishops’ residence until 1945. The original Bishop’s Palace remains a picturesque ruin. n

18

19

LINCOLN’S BEST BUILDINGS

JEW’S COURT

>>

According to a questionable account by Matthew of Paris (d. 1259), around August 1255 Lincoln’s Jewish community stole away an eight-year-old boy, Hugh, who lived at the bottom of Steep Hill, ritually killing him and hiding his corpse down a well.

However the boy came by his death, the events following the discovery of his body are considered to be among the most shameful chapters in Lincoln’s history. A Jewish resident named Jopin was arrested first.

Terrified by threats of torture and death, and before being hanged on Canwick Hill, Jopin’s coerced testimony led to a series of purges and executions against Lincoln’s Jewish community. The episode even drew Henry III and his queen to Lincoln that October.

Jews House and Jews’ Court.

Hugh’s body was interred in Lincoln Cathedral, where today the remains of his altar tomb bear a plaque cautioning against the fictions and prejudice involved.

The boy’s skeleton was unearthed there in 1791 and sketched by the artist Grimm before being replaced.

According to Sympson’s Lincoln (1906), a spurious tradition linked the boy’s alleged murder to Jews’ Court, a building on the slope of Steep Hill with medieval origins, which has been extensively redeveloped and now bears a seventeenth-century appearance.

These were unhappy times for Lincoln’s Jewish quarter. The chronicler Holinshed tells us that in 1265 insurgent barons attacked Lincoln’s Jews, ‘entered their synagogue, and burnt the book of their law’. Tradition says this synagogue was also at Jews’ Court, in a front room on the first floor.

This building is today a bookshop and home to the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology.

Fittingly, in 1992 its Upper Room was also the location for the modern resumption of worship by the Lincolnshire Jewish Community, after a gap of 700 years.

Immediately south, Jew’s House (built 1150–60) boasts an original, beautifully moulded arched doorway, over which projects the buttress shaft of a fireplace and chimney. In 1290 this house belonged to another member of the Jewish community, Belasset of Wallingford, who was hanged for ‘clipping the king’s coin’ (and melting the clippings to make new money). It is now a very fine restaurant. n

20

LINCOLN’S BEST BUILDINGS

<< LINCOLN’S TUDOR TRIO...

Shown here are Leigh Pemberton House (AKA the Tourist Information Centre); High Bridge (AKA Stokes) and The Harlequin (AKA The Actors’ Tavern). The jettied Tudor building Leigh-Pemberton House was built around 1543 as a city merchant’s residence. In 1929 the building was extensively restored by the National Provincial Bank (the National Westminster Bank). On 31 May 1979 the building was presented to the dean and chapter of Lincoln, for the cathedral to use as it saw fit: in recognition of this benefaction, it was named after the bank’s then chairman, Robert Leigh-Pemberton, who later became Governor of the Bank of England.

High Bridge was built around 1160. It carries High Street across the River Witham, and is the only bridge from this era in Britain still bearing houses. Most of the visible timber is the sixteenth-century original, and during the early 20th century renovation, carvings of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were added to the top corners to celebrate their coronation (also in 1902). Since the early 1900s, Stokes’ High Bridge Café has been situated within.

There has been a playhouse in Lincoln since at least 1744, when one opened in a lane under the castle (later Drury Lane) for William Herbert’s Company of Comedians. Nearby, the late fifteenthcentury half-timbered building atop Steep Hill became an actors’ tavern, the Harlequin, before the theatrical circuit migrated downhill in 1763 to a building in the King’s Arms Yard, Clasketgate. n

23

LINCOLNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST BUILDINGS

<< THE TWO PRISONS Lincoln’s Georgian Gaol was significantly redeveloped and extended in the 1840s for the ‘Separate System’ regime. Its unique chapel reflects the harsh reality of this, with each uncomfortable pew enclosed in a coffin-shaped booth so that the criminal within could only focus on the preacher at the pulpit, and not corrupt their neighbour. Today, only the front section of the Georgian Gaol remains, the rest being demolished to make way for the Victorian Prison.

On the north-east corner, Cobb’s Hall was fitted up as Lincoln’s place of execution in 1815. Among the casualties, four died ‘on the new drop’ in full view of the people below in 1818. The last public execution occurred at Cobb’s Hall in 1859, but afterwards hangings continued within the castle grounds near the steps to Lucy Tower.

These days, convicted criminals end up at HMP Lincoln on Greetwell Road, built in 1869–72, on the open grid system and with a castellated gateway.

Initially it housed both sexes, but by the early twentieth century women were incarcerated at Nottingham instead. It also became the only prison for almost all the county. After executions ceased at the castle in 1877, the prison became the place where Lincolnshire’s, and later Nottinghamshire’s, murderers were hanged. A black flag always flew over the clock tower (behind the gateway) following a hanging. n

LINCOLN’S BEST BUILDINGS

RUSTON BUILDINGS

EXCHEQUER GATE

Above: The coming of industry catapulted Lincoln into the modern era. Gigantic engineering plants developed, employing thousands of workers and becoming places of apprenticeship for generations, while their founders became household names citywide. Among these pioneers, the name of Joseph Ruston, a Justice of the Peace, mayor, politician and philanthropist, is perhaps most familiar.

His name has been indelibly stamped on Lincoln engineering since 1857 when he joined Burton and Proctor’s small millwright’s business on Waterside South. This expanded as the Sheaf Iron Works, with Ruston eventually becoming sole proprietor and chairman.

By the time of his death in 1897 his works had become a gargantuan industrial complex covering 17 acres and employing 2,550 people. Ruston’s underwent a number of transformations. During the First World War, the company turned to building submarine engines, boilers, torpedo parts, gun fittings and appliances for minesweeping and submarine capture. By 1918 it was Ruston and Hornsby Ltd, later becoming Ruston Gas Turbines in the 1960s, and finally a subsidiary of Siemens. n

Right: Still protecting the western edge of Minster Yard, or Cathedral Close, is Exchequer Gate. Around 1285 Bishop Oliver Sutton first appealed to King Edward I for a 12-foot- high enclosure to ring the precinct, protecting canons and ministers. Work on the enclosure only began around thirty years later, it and was finished around 1327, the Exchequer Gate being its western access. Ostensibly built to house the dean and chapter’s financial records and registers, the threat of violence accounts for its defensive aspect. On 2nd July 1643, the Exchequer Gate was the scene of civil war action. Lincoln then being under Parliament, forty Royalist infiltrators hidden in the dean’s house tried to seize ammunition from the outer gatehouse, in an attempt to help King Charles I’s forces seize Lincoln.

Until the 1700s Cathedral Close’s gates were locked nightly. The Exchequer Gate’s outer gateway was pulled down over 200 years ago, Pottergate Arch protected the southern entrance to the Close. Other portions of what would once have been an imposing defensive ring surrounding the cathedral are observable on Winnowsty Lane and Priory Gate (which was rebuilt in 1816). n

26

LINCOLNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST BUILDINGS

<< AND OF COURSE...

Lincoln Cathedral was built on the site of an earlier Saxon church, St Mary Magdalene’s, which sat somewhere near the present Nave and had its burial ground in (what is now) the Morning Chapel.

Remigius’ cathedral was smaller than the one we see today. It was completed in 1092, but Remigius – having become the first Bishop of Lincoln – died days before its consecration. His successor as bishop, Robert Bloet, dedicated the church to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Much of Lincoln Cathedral as we see it today was begun by Hugh of Avalon, and carried on by his successors and devotees, William de Blois, Hugh de Wells, and Bishop Grosseteste. During this redevelopment, three workmen were killed and the cathedral much damaged when the Central Tower collapsed in 1237.Inside, the aisled Nave is a breathtaking example of Early English Gothic architecture, 80 feet from stone floor to vaulting.

From around 1311, Lincoln Cathedral was the world’s tallest building until the Central Tower’s spire came crashing down during a storm in 1548; spires on the two western towers were taken down in 1807. The Central Tower – the tallest of the three at 271 feet – today houses a bell called ‘Great Tom’. It is not the original. The present Great Tom ‘only’ dates to 1835, its predecessor (then housed in one of the smaller towers) having been discovered to be cracked on Christmas Day 1828 following a change in its tone. n Lincoln in 50 Buildings is available from all good county bookshops published by Amberley Books. It has 96 pages and 120 illustrations, featuring 50 of Lincoln’s most iconic buildings.

Written by Daniel J Codd, £14.99, for further information call 01453 847800 or see amberley-books.com.

30

Divorce may no longer be a ‘War of the Roses’ but couples must still ensure a thorough parting process

By Lisa Boileau, Partner and Head of the Family team at Wilkin Chapman Solicitors.

HOW MANY OF YOU remember the award-winning film, The War of the Roses, which followed a wealthy couple whose marriage spirals into an outrageous and bitter divorce battle?

Hollywood stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner played the roles perfectly – but as we all know, the reality is far removed from this kind of film fiction.

And fortunately, it is the ‘facts’ that are being taken into consideration in 2020, as England and Wales take their final step towards divorce reform.

The Divorce, Dissolution & Separation Bill, which removes fault from the divorce process, is close to receiving Royal assent after passing through the remaining stages of its parliamentary journey. Whilst not cutting the time it takes to divorce, this legislation prevents couples having to play the ‘blame game’ – it is kinder, not quicker.

Presently, it is necessary to apportion blame on one side or the other – either that, or a couple must wait until they have separated for more than two years and have the other party’s consent to commence the divorce. If one side of the partnership does not agree, that wait extends to five years in the absence

of any other grounds of divorce being available.

granted until the pension sharing order has taken effect.

The new legislation means divorcing couples will only be required to make a statement saying that their marriage has broken down. This is already law in Scotland, where its introduction has not seen a marked increase in divorce – instead, it has allowed for an amicable parting of the ways within a reasonable time frame.

Whether his words are acted upon remains to be seen. But they do show how vital it is for people to understand that the divorce itself is only a small aspect of the proceedings. It is the financial future of both parties that can often be the more important – who gets what, for or from whom, when and how much?

“The divorce itself is only a small aspect of the proceedings...”

And this is where expert advice really makes the difference. For example, the division of a pension pot and the financial implications of splitting any assets often need careful negotiation – without such there can be serious consequences and unfairness.

As this change is widely welcomed, there is one thing which should remain steadfast, and that is the need for individuals to remember the complex issues that must be considered as they move through the process.

For further information, please contact Lisa Boileau on 01522 515946 or by email lisa.boileau@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk

This has been highlighted by the Law Society, as it calls for the legislation to be amended to ensure ex-spouses are not left financially vulnerable as a result of pension orders. Its President wants to see an amendment to the bill so that a final divorce order cannot be

31

MRS SMITH’S COTTAGE

THE HOME OF

HISTORY This month should have seen the reopening of one of Lincolnshire’s most unique museums. Since 2012, the team at North Kesteven District Council has been working hard to restore Mrs Hilda Smith’s cottage to a condition which would safely afford visitors a glimpse of village life in Navenby...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Rob Davis, NKDC, Lincoln Conservation.

32

33

“This is history at its most relatable, the most relevant because Mrs Smith’s Cottage is the kind of property the most recent generations of Lincolnshire people would have lived in.”

THERE’S SOMETHING FAMILIAR about the date. It rings a bell, somehow. 26th June?

Let me check my diary.

Ah yes! A garden party. In Navenby. To help celebrate the reopening of Mrs Smiths Cottage, appended with ‘cancelled,’ like my other diary commitments over the summer, including the county show, which would have taken place on the previous days.

It’s a shame when events are cancelled, but the loss of an opportunity to celebrate the reopening of Mrs Smith’s Cottage is especially disappointing for the very hard working team at North Kesteven District Council, who have tried to ensure the place would be ready for visitors once more this summer following a National Lottery Heritage Funded (NLHF) renovation which has taken seven years to complete.

We use the term renovation, but actually that’s an expression which should be used carefully. You see, Mrs Smith’s Cottage is unique in the respect that since its owner left the property in 1995, it has been a sort of time capsule, a glimpse into village life that’s simultaneously ordinary and yet somehow quite extraordinary.

So who was Hilda Smith? She was a villager living in Navenby. She was a much-beloved part of the community, a familiar figure to most in the village, and yet, she was also... well, she was quite ordinary.

“This isn’t the story of a grand person,” says Sally Bird, perhaps the person who could be considered most likely to be frustrated by the cancellation of the cottage’s reopening.

“Organisations like the National Trust or English Heritage perform a really important role in taking some of our oldest and most demanding buildings and maintaining them for future generations.”

“But typically they’re the former homes and estates of wealthy people. Mrs Smith’s Cottage, by contrast, is the home of someone you would have known and seen and spoken to in the village each day.

Indeed, most of the residents did know her and speak to her, which is why they got together to preserve her cottage when Hilda died in May 1995 and left the cottage to family friends, who thought it was important to preserve it... preserve her.”

“This is history at its most relatable, because her cottage is the kind of property that most recent generations of Lincolnshire people would have lived in.”

Hilda was resistant to some - though not all - change throughout her life. She adopted new technology and acquired new possessions only if she saw a genuine advantage, and embraced a sense of ‘make do and mend,’ living the sort of frugal life that would these days be feted as sustainable but was then merely the convention followed by a generation who had lived through rationing and a life prior to frivolous consumerism.

Because Hilda’s cottage changed so little, it has become an illustration of history, albeit one whose owner was sometimes a paradox.

For instance, Mrs Smith was resistant to the council fitting running water and drainage in 1978 - the local council wrote to her to insist she have proper facilities installed, because they were to cease offering the service of emptying privies.

She failed to see the point in plumbing and still drew her running water from the village pump. And yet, Hilda was one of the first to have electricity installed in the 1930s, long before some other households.

Hilda lived her life without a washing machine or twin-tub and without a cooker preferring her modest cast iron range - and without a refrigerator, too.

She did, however, have a radio which she enjoyed listening too immensely, and from around the mid-1970s, a TV too... although it was a modest set, rather than the flat-screened, remote-controlled, multichannel, wi-fi equipped ‘smart TVs’ we watch today which have undoubtedly improved the viewing experience, though, alas, not the programmes themselves. >>

Mrs Smith’s ‘Best Room’: The cottage, built in the 1830s, gained its second half a decade or so later.

It was used as a shop or workshop, hence the large window. A washhouse was added later too.

The house gained electricity in the 1930s and running water in the late 1970s.

34

35

Top/Above: Hilda Craven was born in 1892, orphaned at an early age and brought up by Mary Barrand. She left school in 1906 and worked as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;day girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for local butcher Mr Dawson. She returned to the village after living in North Yorkshire in 1926, working as a bookkeeper and marrying Joseph Smith in 1956.

36

>> Another convenience Hilda afforded herself was an electric boiler for washdays.

Her 1930s kitchen range from Duckerings of Lincoln may look quaint, but its meagre capacity meant a scant supply of hot water just two gallons in the tank - for when she would scrub her clothes in her dolly tub.

The range was rather more useful for cooking, though, and Hilda created her own jams and pickles. She also had a well-tended allotment, and would store meat and cheese, butter and milk in the meat safe.

“The front garden is undoubtedly beautiful, but it wasn’t used for growing food, since she had her allotment,” says Sally. “So really it was used for growing flowers and we’re now in the process of restoring the planting scheme according to the inventory of her garden she maintained... we’re currently planting the garden to match a 1986 inventory Mrs Smith had written of her plants in the back of her diary.”

“Mrs Smith kept an amazingly detailed record of her life, writing her diary from her bureau in the ‘best’ room. The room also

contained her sofa, two armchairs and the kind of tiled fireplace that ensures everyone remarks ‘oh, so-and-so had a fireplace just like that!’”

Hilda’s writings and her diary, written at that bureau, are the other aspect of the cottage which ensures her life can be so well observed. Because she documented her experiences, her life - even though she would have perhaps considered it unremarkable at the time - social historians have a rich primary source of ‘normal’ life.

“The property closed in 2013 because of serious structural issues. The cottage’s walls are just a single-brick in thickness with no cavities. The shifting of beams left it in danger of structural failure.”

“Most similar buildings would have either fallen down or been improved or replaced.

Thankfully this one was preserved but its renovation presented real problems because ordinarily the building would just be replaced with something more substantial.”

“That’s why work has taken so long; it was

a tricky process deciding what to do to fix it technically whilst preserving the building’s integrity. In 2016, as we submitted our National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) bid, we started to assess the work needed to secure the future of the cottage. With the support of Lincoln Conservation and Grevatte & Co we were able to carry out new research into the fabric of the building and work with the local community to identify the stories we wanted to tell.”

“In 2018 our NLHF funding had been secured and permission granted to carry out repairs and works to the new visitor centre, located in the adjacent property which NKDC purchased in 2017. Since work began a strong team has developed who have breathed life back into the cottage, running events and working with the local community to tell Mrs Smith’s story.”

“This will be serve as a visitor centre with temporary exhibitions both about Mrs Smith and her cottage but rural life more generally. The cottage will, happily, also have a visitor toilet for the first time too, >> 37

>> but the extra space will also afford us a chance to do more with the site - like creating a mini-allotment similar to that which Mrs Smith would have had - without compromising the integrity or layout of the cottage.”

“That’s really the fine line we’ve had to tread. We want to ensure the site is safe, of course, and has as much for visitors to see and learn from as possible.”

“But I think we’re also responsible for preserving the authenticity and integrity of the building too. Preserving it to ensuring it’s fit for its purpose of education and heritage.”

The building was never intended to accommodate 20,000 people, which is how many had visited the cottage by 2012. And whilst Hilda still used the rickety ladder to

the first floor at the grand old age of 102, it’s less practical for visitors to do the same.

In a consumption-led era, we replace perfectly serviceable smartphones when a ‘new’ model reaches retailers, and we replace cars on finance packages with new models every three years or so. Manufacturers of such products are keen to tell us how sustainably the products are made and how readily they can be recycled.

But the mere fact that we replace our trappings so voraciously despite the fact they still function well enough makes a mockery of any such claims of sustainability. Mrs Smith, on the other hand, was content with her home 1892-1995 and its contents, con-

Hilda Smith

Hilda Smith nee Craven was brought up by adoptive mother Mary Barrand and lived in her cottage after marrying Joseph Smith in 1956. She died in 1995 aged 102.

Our Mini

MUSEUMS SOME MUSEUMS IN THE COUNTY ARE SMALL... BUT PERFECTLY FORMED! n Sleaford Museum: Sleaford Museum is adjacent to the town’s Handley monument and is one of the dinkiest but most wonderful museums in the county.

Temporary exhibitions are beautifully curated and the team of volunteers who work in the place are incredibly friendly.

Previous exhibits have centred around local businesses like Charles Sharpe’s seed business or Lee & Green’s mineral water company, as well as the 100th anniversary of the RAF. www.sleafordmuseum.org.uk

Above: The first floor of the cottage is accessed by two ladders. There are two bedrooms, and Hilda’s halfbrother Fred lived in the cottage for a time as well.

Find Out More: Mrs Smith’s Cottage is now reopen to visitors on East Road, Navenby.

For more information call 01522 811469 or see mrssmithscottage.com.

servative with her consumption and embraced the notion of a ‘sustainable’ lifestyle before such a term was coined.

Far too much history is imprisoned behind a glass case or reflects only a gentrified population. But here, in rural Lincolnshire, is a site that’s more relatable than perhaps any other museum or stately home in the county. One which offers the chance to see, but also smell and touch history as we would have known it.

The only comparison we could make is that Mrs Smith’s Cottage is a more modest version of County Durham’s Beamish.

Its authenticity, relevance and the excellent manner in which The NKDC team, National Lottery Heritage Fund and partners have worked to preserve it makes a visit now that the site is reopen an absolute must... it’s still a shame about the garden party, though! n

n Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum: The Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum is a joy to explore and packed with intriguing stories and displays about Woodhall Spa, the local area and the Wield family, who lived in the building from 1887 until the 1960s. The building itself is an important museum exhibit. It is a rare surviving example of a bungalow constructed of corrugated iron on a wooden frame that was erected in the late nineteenth century. John Wield (1877-1965) was a keen photographer and his photographic collection is the basis of the Museum. The collection of images is a unique and valuable record of life in Woodhall Spa and includes images of both people and the local area. www.cottagemuseum.co.uk n Baldock’s Mill, Bourne: Baldocks Mill is the only remaining mill in the town and is over 200 years old. The Doomsday Book gave Bourne three mills and there has been a mill on this site since 1086.

The Middle Floor displays a permanent exhibition of Raymond Mays the famous racing driver who lived in Bourne all his life. It contains an extensive photographic exhibition of both his early racing career and the story of ERA and BRM racing cars.

The Top Floor is devoted to local history - local industries local water and railway infrastructure and Bourne in wartime and some old domestic items of interest. www.bournecivicsociety.org.uk

39

40

41

LINCOLNSHIRE TEA

JUST OUR

CUP OF TEA Tea remains our national beverage, despite the upsurge in multinational coffee shops and ‘coffee to go.’ In fact, we consume over 165,000,000 cups of tea each day, 60,225,000,000 every year, and it’s the second most popular drink in the world, after water. How much do you know about the 1,500 varieties of ‘camellia sinensis’ available. though? One man intent on educating and enthralling tea drinkers everywhere is Lincoln’s Will Battle... and he’s just potty, about tea! machines which hiss and screech and froth up milk and grind beans. There’s no theatre when making tea - no chrome machines costing tens of thousands of pounds - and whilst there’s a fancy term for someone who makes coffee - a barista - there’s no similar term for someone who makes great tea... although I find ‘Mrs Davis’ comes close.

It takes about five minutes to brew the perfect cup of tea. But it’s taken considerably longer than that for Will Battle of Potterhanworth to write his book, a definitive World Tea Encyclopaedia.

It’s not surprising that it’s taken so long.

After all, the world of tea is huge, not just geographically but culturally and in terms of the scientific minutiae of camellia sinensis, a plant which has over 1,500 varieties.

Yet despite being lower-key in nature, tea is still more popular than coffee as a national drink, and we’re the second largest consumer of it in the world, per capita, after Ireland. Astonishingly, Will can think of no comparable book to the encyclopaedia that has taken him 10 years to write.

Not withstanding the huge subject matter, Will’s book is over 400 pages in length, with over 90,000 words and 300 images plus maps and diagrams.

Within just an hour of meeting Will he had become my hero, a true Englishman celebrating the quirks and perks of this most English beverage.

It’s a running joke in the office that I’m powered by sweet, milky tea. I’m happy to forgo breakfast and lunch, but going just a couple of hours without a cup of tea means lethargy and a dramatic drop in concentration. Tea is the first thing I need in the morning, and that constant craving remains with me throughout the day.

Despite this appreciation, I barely stray from a conventional, common blend from a multinational brand name. Except for the odd Earl Grey, maybe an Assam or Darjeeling, my ex-

perience of tea, like many people’s is sadly incredibly limited, despite it being the food or drink product I consume most of across my entire diet. I’m not alone, either.

“My bookshelf is heaving with books about wine,” he says. “Different grapes, regions, varieties and those ambitiously promising a comprehensive overview of the subject,” he says. “But there are no such books offering an overview of tea producing countries and processes.”

However, coffee is now culturally endemic.

Colloquially we ‘go for a coffee,’ rather than a cup of tea, and talk about coffee shops, rather than tea shops. Restaurants refer to after dinner coffee and have large complex

“I’m from Potterhanworth and was born into a farming family. My great uncle managed a Kenyan tea plantation in the early 20th century, but that’s incidental, there’s no real connection except for an affinity for farming which, essentially, is what tea growing is.”

Above: Will Battle, Potterhanworth author, celebrated the completion of his magnum opus with... what else... but a cup of tea. The 400 page book is available now.

“When I left Warwick University, having read German and obtained a degree, I 43

“I had a real sense of wanderlust and one of the best things about working in the world of tea is the incredibly beautiful places that it takes you to!” joined Tetley, and trained for two years to become a tea taster. I’d have to try hundreds of samples a day, and buy for consistency across multiple characteristics from colour and reflection to pungency or mouth feel.”

“I had a real sense of wanderlust and one of the best things about working in the world of tea is the incredibly beautiful places that it takes you to. China and India are the largest producers in the world, but there’s a terrific domestic market for it there, so Kenya is the world’s biggest exporter. Sri Lanka and India, too, are incredibly beautiful.”

“Apart from the incredible travel opportunities, one of the greatest aspects of working with tea producers is the fact that you never stop learning.”

“Just when you think you’ve a sound knowledge, you’re reminded with a fresh infusion of new information just how diverse the subject is.”

“I think that’s why, despite the fact that there are books about specific aspects of the industry, nobody has had the time before to produce what I hope my book is; an overview of the countries, processes, varieties and cultural idiosyncrasies of tea... one that’s detailed enough for experts, but also accessible enough for the public.”

And Will’s World Encyclopaedia of Tea is definitely something that tea drinkers can enjoy reading. Detailed as it is, it’s also beautifully illustrated and laid out.

The term encyclopaedia implies that it’ll be dry and laid out as a list but that’s a complete misnomer; it’s accessible, and cleverly executed with, for instance, an infographic ‘flavour wheel’ for quick reference on the inside front cover, and flow charts showing 44

Top: Tea plantation in Mozambique, and tea pluckers in Kenya, a country with a relatively young but dependable industry.

Above: Will, a Potterhanworth tea merchant, also worked with Lincolnshire based Lincoln Tea & Coffee to create the county’s own tea blend.

Left: During my visit Will took me on a private ‘tea tour’ with 13 different brews, designed to provide an insight into characteristics like varieties, low and high grown varieties, the differences between, for instance, several darjeeling varieties, and the differences that climate and weather can introduce.

45

THE LINCOLNSHIRE TEA EXPERT

the processes of cultivars and production methods. This was all learned as Will worked for some of the UK’s biggest tea brands including Tetley, founded in 1837.

Having left Tetley after a decade, Will joined Douwe Egberts to buy tea for the firm’s Pickwick brand.

He lived in Switzerland and then in the Netherlands until 2016 before moving back to Lincolnshire to begin his new business as a tea merchant providing estate teas and bespoke blends to small tea shops and retailers across the UK. The setting up of his business coincided with the completion of his book, which is now available in hardback form, and is aimed at consumers, rather than the industry, and with a little guidance, it’s easy to gain an insight into Will’s world.

Naturally, prior to my visit the expert had the kettle on, but rather than just one cup of tea, we enjoyed no fewer than 13. With an apron, a teaspoon and a spittoon, Will set about providing me with a world tour of tea estates, and varieties.

We began with an Assam, a high-grown Kenyan from the Aberdare Mountains and a Ceylon from the Uva Highlands. These are typically used in different combinations in breakfast tea blends to provide our expected characteristics of body, looks and flavour respectively.

mense skill of the teamaker and deep pockets of the buyer. My favourite was Will’s penultimate tea, a Jasmine Pearl variety demonstrating how tea can be scented with floral aroma, and he rounded off the experience with a Pu Erh Leaf from China’s Yunnan Province, a dark, aged tea.

Will then used two different examples of Darjeeling - a Gielle and a Teesta Valley example - to demonstrate what in wine terms is terroir, before showing me the result of high-grown and low-grown tea varieties.

My education underway, and armed with a book, Will advised a trip to one of the county’s local tea sellers, Imperial tea on Lincoln’s Steep Hill, or Stokes on Lincoln High Street, for example, where I could continue my education.

Next were two green teas, including a Dragon Well, then an expensive Silver Needle from Fujian Province, a soft sweet, pale tea. Then we tried a few tea oddities.

These included an Oolong green tea produced by bruising the outer rim of the leaf in a special wicker basket - and a yellow tea, created with a highly-skilled artisanal process known as sweating that requires imAbove: Women with fresh tea leaves in the basket at tea garden in Darjeeling.

Left: Will celebrates his unique encyclopaedia.

“It’s been a decade of hard work but I’m really pleased with the result.” says Will.

“It’s a book that takes in geography, culture, history and of course, the profound pleasure of enjoying a cup of tea!”

We’ll recommend the book enormously... we’re tempted to describe it as a great ‘coffee table book,’ although that would rather contradict its subject matter, wouldn’t it!?! n The World Tea Encyclopaedia, is now on sale, published by Matador, £29.99, 400 pages, ISBN 978178589313, Call 01235 465521 for details.

47

49

You can now enjoy your Pride Magazine with our brand new App on your tablet... completely free of charge!

50

Read online now at

w w w.p r i d em agazines.co.uk To advertise your business to the wealthiest people in the county email sales@pridemagazines.co.uk 51

Goatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cheese and caramelised red onion tartlet at The Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate.

FOOD & DRINK

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED They say first impressions count... well, the perfect first course is modest in size but bold in flavour, setting out a chef ’s intentions and dazzling with their presentation...

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. And it’s true.

We’ve all been to a restaurant for the first time and perused a menu, waiting in anticipation for the first dish to arrive.

Typically that dish is your starter. Quantity isn’t essential, but quality and presentation certainly is. It’s the chef ’s opportunity to make that all important first impression on their customer.

As a person who prefers savoury dishes to sweet ones, I’d rather enjoy a starter and forgo a dessert, and what I especially love about starters is their often intense and bold flavours.

Happily, the days of gloopy prawn cocktails or melon are long gone. Today’s starters are as much about presentation as whacking flavours. If I’m honest, I rather mourn the disappearance of soup from restaurants’ menus, but the ineffable rise of the quality pub restaurant has lead to the happy reinvention of many old favourites from Scotch Eggs to scallops - all promising starter options.

With lockdown slowly retreating and restaurants due to reopen as Pride goes to press, we’re delighted be able to implore our readers to revisit independent pubs, restaurants and hotels to enjoy that long forgotten pleasure of dining out... beginning your meal with these absolutely belting starters! >>

Below: Some of the county’s most talented chefs, Fuel Tank’s Chris Ansell; Steph Barker of The Cross Keys Grasby; Marcus Franklin of Ye Olde Red Lion; Shelina Burford of The White Hart Hotel, Boston; Tom Hall of The Petwood Hotel; Michael Prescott, Head Chef of The Griffin Inn, Irnham; Mark Hines, Head Chef at The Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate; Tom Niblock, Head Chef of The Thatched Cottage Restaurant, Sutterton; David Bukowicki, Chef at Barnsdale Lodge.

53

“The hospitality sector employs 3.2m people and it contributes over £130bn to the economy, and yet 99% of the businesses within the sector are SMEs with fewer than 30 employees.

For that reason, we’re all share a moral obligation to keep those businesses trading, by visiting them when lockdown is lifted...”

This Page: Hen’s Egg with asparagus in crispy potato basket at The Red Lion, Bicker.

54

Scallops at The Thatched Cottage, Boston.

Champagne-cured sea bass with oyster and caviar at Barnsdale Lodge, Rutland.

Charcuterie platter at The Engine Yard, Belvoir.

OUR FEATURED RESTAURANTS

The Petwood Hotel’s sweet potato and pear starter with walnuts and Stilton.

Please note, featured dishes are representative examples of our featured chefs’ skills... the menus of our featured restaurants change often, so dishes remain subject to availability. Check each restaurant’s website prior to your visit for a fresh menu to avoid disappointment.

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel: Exton, Rutland, LE15 8AH, 01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

The Black Horse: Gosberton Risegate, Spalding PE11 4ET, 01775 840995, www.theblackhorse-gr.co.uk.

The Cross Keys Inn: Grasby, DN38 6AQ, 01652 628247, www.crosskeys-grasby.co.uk.

The Fuel Tank: Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle NG32 1PA, 01476 247059, www.engineyardfueltank.co.uk.

58

Charcoal squid with vanilla purée at The Cross Keys, Grasby.

The Griffin Inn: Irnham, NG33 4JG, 01476 550201, www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk.

The Petwood Hotel: Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QG, 01526 352411, www.petwood.co.uk.

A summer consommĂŠ at The Griffin Inn, Irnham.

The Thatched Cottage: Sutterton, Boston PE20 2EZ, 01205 461006, www.thethatchedcottage restaurant.co.uk.

Slow braised ham hock, soft cooked egg, with pea puree & bacon crumb at The White Hart in Boston.

The White Hart Hotel: Boston, PE21 8SH, 01205 311900, www.whitehartboston.com.

Ye Olde Red Lion: Bicker, Boston, PE20 3EF, 01775 821200, www.redlionbicker.co.uk.

59

In the KITCHEN Easy to create, delicious and satisfying, this avocado and artichoke salad is the perfect dish for a Saturday afternoon spent in the garden...

AVOCADO & ARTICHOKE SALAD with Crunchy Croutons 1 Ciabatta roll torn into bitesize pieces • 1 tbsp olive oil • ½ tsp sumac • 1 pack 2 avocados, peeled, stoned and cubed 1 cucumber diced • 175g artichokes to chargrill • 1 tbsp vinaigrette salad dressing • 1 romaine lettuce, torn into pieces 100g bag watercress • 2 tbsp Kalamata or other black olives Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Place the ciabatta in a large bowl, add the oil and sumac and toss well together.

Spread out on a baking sheet in a single layer, then bake for 10 minutes until crunchy and golden. Leave to cool.

Chargrill the artichokes and toss together with the avocado,

cucumber, with their dressing and the vinaigrette. Place the lettuce and watercress in a large salad bowl and spoon over the avocado and artichoke mixture. Scatter over the olives and croutons and serve swiftly. Enjoy in the garden with sunshine and a Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay. n

Recipes & Dishes: Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

60 60

In the KITCHEN A wonderfully sweet traditional French pudding just perfect for making the most of your crop of raspberries this month...

RASPBERRY CLAFOUTIS with Ground Almonds Preparation time: 10 minutes. Cooking time: 15 minutes to 18 minutes. Serves: Four.

4 eggs • 150g golden caster sugar • 1 tbsp plain flour, sifted • 2 tbsp ground almonds 142ml double cream • 200g pack fresh raspberries Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Using an electric whisk, beat the eggs and sugar together for five minutes or until the mixture is pale and thick enough to leave a trail.

Lightly whisk in the flour and almonds.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.

Using a large metal spoon, carefully fold it into the egg mixture.

Pour the batter into 4 x 250ml shallow ovenproof dishes and

gently scatter over the raspberries – they will mostly sink beneath the surface, but this is fine.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until set and golden – make sure the centres are firm. Serve warm with scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream. Make one large clafouti in a 1.5-litre dish, if you prefer. Cook for 25-30 minutes. Try with other soft fruits such as blackberries. n

Recipes & Dishes: Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

64

T H E

L U X U RY

B R A N D

“Unexpected monarch in bagging area...” when HM The Queen requires a couple of pints of semi-skimmed and something for tonight’s supper, she and her family have all hot-footed it to their Piccadilly grocer of choice since 1707...

Unexpected monarch in bagging area… when the royals want the very best products for their shopping basket, there’s only one place they trust. Bursting with magic and excitement, Fortnum & Mason has the Royal seal of approval…

back to 1707, the same year that Great Britain was formed! William and Hugh met in 1705, Hugh Mason already running a small store inside St James Market and was landlord to William who had a post as a Footman in Queen Anne’s house.

A quintessentially British upmarket store we all recognise for its mint green branding, based in our world-famous capital city, providing luxury hampers, gifts, tea, coffee, chocolate… the list is fabulously endless! Incredibly Fortnum & Mason sell over 20,000 hampers per year and these are exported all around the world, in their renowned wicker box, proudly stamped with F&M, providing the perfect parcel of joy for its recipient, ranging from prices of £85 up to £1,000 – with one of the most prestigious hampers classically named ‘The Windsor Hamper.’

It was from selling the half-burnt bee’s wax candles from Queen Anne’s house that gave Fortnum the money to be able to go into business with Mason. Originally it was founded as a grocery store, with a reputation of supplying good quality food which led to its rapid growth throughout the years, which then evolved to a focus on stocking exotic and speciality items, as well as basic provisions but by going the extra mile.

Fortnum & Mason’s flagship store is where you can discover extraordinary food and joy-giving things in Piccadilly, London.

A total of six floors offering dedication to Homeware, Beauty & Fragrance, Gentlemen, Tea Salon, Fresh Food, and the ground floor where you enter the store, bringing you straight into the Tea & Speciality Food area.

They also have stores located in St Pancras Station, Heathrow Airport, and The Royal Exchange, but where did the story start for this luxury brand that reflects the glamour, sophistication and magic that we all love, widely known as the Queen’s Grocer.

William Fortnum saw an opportunity to capitalise in the first area of ‘food on the go’ or ‘ready made meals’ in the 1700s there were many people flocking to our capital city for work, meaning they would need to buy food that they could easily enjoy without much fuss of putting it together, especially if they didn’t have anywhere to store or prepare it. This is when Fortnum used the advantage of pickles, preserves, and pork pies to sell to the hungry workers.

The store cruised through its early years paving the way for the future success that it would endure and how it would be a store recognised for providing the every-day items but with that special touch that made it completely unique to the Fortnum & Mason brand.

30 years after opening, the young enterprise set itself a task of how they could capitalise on creating food that was appropriate for long distance journeys.

It all started when William Fortnum & Hugh Mason established their first store in Piccadilly over 300 years ago, taking us right

Three Things You Didn’t Know About Fortnum & Mason IT’S A LARGE OPERATION! VERY LARGE! Fortnum & Mason has 708 employees, quite a number considering the retailer has just five locations. Founded by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, it underwent a £24m refurb in 2007 and turns over £130m/annum.

66

AFTERNOON TEA IS A REAL TREAT Afternoon tea is served for £60/head with individual pâtisseries and your choice from the retailer’s Cake Carriage. The retailer also invented ruby chocolate to use in its cakes; a development which too it 13 years to perfect.

THERE’S A REAL BUZZ ABOUT THE RETAILER In 2014 the reailer created a new pied-à-terre for Fortnum’s bees. There are four hives, each six feet tall, on the roof of the retailer. The Buckfast bees produce the most sought-after honey in the world.

67

Fortnum, with the help of his staff, developed the intelligent idea of wrapping a hard-boiled egg in scrumptious sausage meat and coating it in beautifully fried breadcrumbs, this is where the world’s first Scotch Egg was born, in 1738. Now over 280 years later, the same recipe is still used, you can buy yourself a delicious box of six for £22.95! When you read the description, you can see why they are still a successful choice of snack for their shoppers.

“In 1902, King Edward set the biggest challenge that Fortnum & Mason had yet received: “Bring me the finest tea in all of the land...!”

Deliciously moist, each Scotch Egg contains a free-range egg with a vibrant orange yolk coated in British outdoor-reared pork and a generous coating of crisp homemade breadcrumbs. The ideal lunchtime treat.

Napoleon war time Officers often purchased their own goods to take with them, such as dried fruits and preserves. Queen Victoria then ordered for a huge quantity of tea to be sent to the soldiers in the Crimean War in the 1850s, and again for the Officers in World War I. In 2012 in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, F&M sent 15,000 tins of tea & biscuits to her majesty’s troops around the world.

In 1902, King Edward VII set the biggest challenge that Fortnum & Mason had yet received, “Bring me the finest tea in all of the land.” It was a challenge they calmly took in their stride knowing that they would be able to provide a tea with such excellence and difference like no other, after all, they are Fortnum & Mason. After much travelling and research, The Royal Blend is made using Assam from India and Flower Pekoe from Sri Lanka. They say that ‘the splendid blend of the two comes a smooth, honeylike flavour that still sets the benchmark for tea, 100 years later.’ Now they have over 80 varieties of tea, creating the exceptional cup for the extraordinary, however Royal Blend is still the most popular choice.

Holding the reputation for a high-class grocer and leading provider of tinned goods, meant that in 1886 American entrepreneur H J Heinz went directly to F&M with his samples he had brought with him from

The hampers show another area that F&M start to make their mark in history, in 1911 when the shop suffered smashed windows from the Suffragettes campaigning for votes for women, Fortnum’s response to this was

In 1794 another opportunity of services they could provide was quickly added to the list when they became a Post Office. They provided letterboxes which were collected six times a day, this was a service they offered for nearly 50 years before the General Post Office was founded in 1839.

Fortnum & Mason has proudly supplied their produce to our country’s heroes and military personnel, in the early 1800’s in 68

America of his Baked Beans. Fortnum & Mason quickly snapped up all the samples, seizing the opportunity to be the first store to introduce Baked Beans to Britain.

to send out hampers to the women once they were released from prison.

By 1920 F&M had a dedicated department purely for expeditions, this was just in time to help supply goods for the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition; another way their hampers ‘pitched the flag’ in another historic event. F&M successfully shipped from Southampton items such as: plates, soup plates, butter knives, condiments, tinned products, 60 tins of quail in foie gras and four dozen bottles of champagne... basically a 1920s dinner party!

Ensuring that Fortnum & Mason would always be at the top of their game with the produce it offered with the special touches it was renowned for, King George V’s Jubilee in 1935 was the perfect time to show off the capabilities of what they had to offer. With all the international visitors flocking to Great Britain of Princes and Maharaja’s – they ensured a stock of food suitable for Hindu’s & Muslim’s were readily available, even offering liveried Indian servants.

They also have other equally controversial links to the royals; in June 1937 King

Edward VIII abdicated from the throne after choosing his wife, when he was faced with the ultimatum of choosing his role as king or to marry his love, the American divorcee. Edward then went on to living in exile in a French castle, however he still managed to maintain breakfast in the style of a king! With a huge love for kippers, Fortnum & Mason were flying Craster Kippers over to France each day to be enjoyed for the first meal each morning!

By 1951, Britain had been battered with debt due to the war and it was fair to say Fortnum & Mason were feeling the strain.

Canadian businessman Garfield Weston bought the store and added to his retail collection. As Garfield Weston understood that the important key to success with Fortnum & Mason was to remain true to its roots and to operate in the same way providing new exciting tasty options in a fabulously British way.

Throughout the 50s, uniforms would be strict and smart, pinstripe trousers, tails & waistcoats. Only ever changing to red coat tails for the festive season. In 1964, a new clock was commissioned for the front of the store weighing a hefty four tonne.

It was a tribute to the founders and showing the store was proud to keep its links to the past. The clock has two 4ft figurines of Fortnum & Mason themselves, which are transported out on the hour to show them take a bow whilst looking at the clock. Some say it shows them coming out to check the high standards of the store are being upheld.

Over the years, Fortnum & Mason has enjoyed strong Royal links as well as their seal of approval; the department store referred to sometimes as the ‘little palace’ of pleasure.

As well as Royals, it attracts many celebrities that go for the delightful shopping experience, Ringo Star, Liberace, Michael Caine, Joan Collins are just some of the faces seen over the years.

On 1st March 2012, The Queen opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon accompanying her was the Duchess of Cornwall & the Duchess of Cambridge. To which also led the Queen to be able to inspect and view the 60 Diamond Jubilee products that had been created in celebration of her whole reign. n For more information see www.fortnumandmason.com.

69

THE BLACK HORSE GOSBERTON RISEGATE

HOMEMADE, BEAUTIFUL, CLASSICAL DISHES

SATURDAY 18TH JULY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; COME AND SIT IN OUR LARGE GARDEN AND ENJOY FREE MUSIC FROM HALO AND A BBQ FROM 3PM (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)

01775 840 995

www.theblackhorse-gr.co.uk See our website for updates on opening days and times.

70

Wine of the Month

Pop, Fizz and Clink for Victory Churchill’s go-to Champagne is our vintage choice for those aiming to ‘keep calm and carry on...’

Ovens Farm Bacchus, Louth, England, 75cl / 13.5% / £26.99

It’s common knowledge that Churchill’s go-to Champagne was Pol Roger. The wartime leader drank about two bottles a day in his prime, about 42,000 bottles in his lifetime.

If you’re keeping calm, and carrying on, treat yourself to a post-lockdown toast with chums with a vintage from 2006-2012 elegant with complex aromas of white flowers, quince and subtle brioche overtones. n £85/ 75cl / 12.5% ABV

The Wine Cellar WE’RE ON CLOUD WINE THIS MONTH WITH SOME TIPPLES FOR EASING BACK INTO NORMALITY. HERE, EMILY BROWN SUGGESTS GARDEN PARTY WINES FOR POST-LOCKDOWN...

RIOJA & ROLL: A choice trio of Spaniards including a couple of Rioja stars...

1. Muga Selección Especial Reserva Rioja is a superb Rioja, perfect for dinner parties! This is an intense Rioja with powerful fruit flavours. Medium to full bodied, £57.00 / 1.5l / 14% vol.

2. Chivite Finca Villatuerta Chardonnay promises smoky lemon notes with a sweet and powerful finish. Perfectly paired with a light chicken dish. A dry wine, 2014 vintage, vegetarian & vegan. £14.99 / 75cl / 13.5% vol.

3.Muga Rioja Rosado with its tropical fruits & fresh citrus notes is a salmon-coloured, dry, lively rosé with red apple and tropical notes. A beautiful balance of sweet flavours. £9.99 / 75cl / 13.5% vol.

A very much local wine that has Europe on the run.

Pale gold hue, aromatics of cut grass, complexed with lime blossom.

The palate has notes of citrus fruits, hedgerow herbaceous character and a hint of green pepper to the finish.

Dry, crisp, and clean palate with good structure and a long finish.

Partner this wine with goats cheese or Feta; herby dishes, or with fish. £84, 6 x 75cl. www.ovens farmvine yard.com, or 07919 320290.

When life hands you lemons.. add salt & tequila!

Though tequila has a reputation for being a little uncivilised when taken in quantities, in small measures it’s pleasant enough.

One serving suggestion is its deployment in a traditional margarita. This is a tequila that’s full-bodied with orange and grapefruit notes, ideal for a summer afternoon in the garden.

Rested for added complexity, the orange and grapefruit notes are balanced by the sweet cooked agave and woodiness, making this a full-bodied tequila. £27.50 / 70cl / 38% ABV.

n Our featured wines are available from

the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

71

72

HOMES & INTERIORS

A PLACE TO

RELAX

It’s the country house that’s just a stone’s throw from town and has been beautifully renovated by its current owner.

What more could you desire? Well... how about a brand new spa with games room and outdoor entertaining area? We’d advise parties interested in Beech Tree House to make haste!

73

Words: Rob Davis.

73

Who wants to make compromises?

Nobody we know. And if you’re the sort of person whose property wishlist is nothing short of exhaustive, we this month feature a family home that should suit all of your needs, completely compromise-free.

If you’re looking for a home that’s situated in the countryside, with plenty of character, this is it. If you’d like to live somewhere quiet, but still close to civilisation, this is it.

If you’re seeking a property with period features but not the bills for upkeep traditionally associated with older houses, this is it. It you’d like decent-size grounds but without acres and acres of weekendstrangling work attached to them... guess what? This is it. Compromise-free living!

Top: Jon has reinstated open fires into the main reception rooms and created a new kitchen extension.

74

Built in the late Victorian era, Beech Tree House has plenty of character but has mercifully escaped a Grade II listing, making it a good deal simpler to change in the future, should you wish to so do... although you’ll probably find much of the work has already been done for you.

Purchased by Boston property developer Jon Padley two and a half years ago, the house was in a pretty dilapidated state.

Happily, its next owners will enjoy the results of Jon’s hard work and move into a beautifully renovated rural home... but without having to lift a finger!

Alongside modern wiring and plumbing, Jon has renovated the usually eye-watering elements of older properties, renovating the windows with new timber sashes, renovating the roof, replacing the gutters and drainage, and re-landscaped the property’s grounds.

“Its next owners will enjoy living in a beautifully renovated rural home... but without the work or hassle!”

Arranged over two floors, there are four reception rooms, four bedrooms including an en suite to the master, plus a separate utility room and cellar.

The kitchen has been relocated into a brand new extension, with masses of natural light courtesy of bi-fold doors. Finished in French Gray with integrated appliances from a range cooker with an eight burner hob to built-in dishwasher and butler sink, there are solid timber surfaces with solid granite to the central island.

The property’s bathrooms, too, have been overhauled with new fittings in a Victorian style. Flooring throughout has been renovated with existing boards all stripped and revarnished.

Naturally the whole property has also been redecorated, using a neutral palette of Farrow & Ball colours.

Every surface, every room, every element of the property is pristine, with no work to be completed by its next owners whatsoever.

None of the decor could cause offence, so the property’s next owners need only move in and relax; absolutely no work necessary.

Speaking of relaxing, if you reckon you’d struggle to fill the time that you’d otherwise spend pulling an old house to bits, Jon has just completed his latest project; a spa, games room and outdoor entertaining area. >> 75

>> A most substantial building - renovated, insulated and decorated - the wellness annexe has been clad in Norfolk-style timber, with neutral shades inside, reminding one of a sort of seaside spa or coastal retreat.

It incorporates a cinema area with typically expansive screen and large sofas, plus a bar area, and a games area with pool table, table tennis and air hockey games.

The gym area features a spinning cycle and treadmill, plus weights and a large sauna.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a jacuzzi outside under a large pergola with an outdoor seating area too.

In addition to roughly half an acre of grounds, and spacious reception rooms, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also plenty of space on the first floor.

Each of the four bedrooms are generously

Top: French doors open out onto about half an acre of mature gardens, landscaped to minimise maintenance.

76

and fairly equally proportioned, meaning families should have plenty of space.

Finally, Boston is less than two miles away, meaning that although the property is in a nice rural location, it isn’t too far from civilisation; schools and the town are close by and Johnson’s Garden Centre with its decent farm shop is less than a mile away.

And that brings us to the price. At well under half a million pounds, Beech House is a property that looks great, comes maintenance free, with a rural location and town close by. No work, a new spa annexe, bags of character... and all at a keen price.

We respectfully suggest an early viewing to avoid missing out on one of the most complete and well-reconciled properties we’ve seen in quite a while! n

BEECH TREE HOUSE, WAINFLEET ROAD, BOSTON Location: Boston 1.8 miles.

Style: Beautifully restored late-Victorian property.

Bedrooms: Four, with en suite.

Receptions: Three/four currently arranged as sitting room, lounge, open plan living/dining area and living kitchen.

Other Features: Spa, games room and outdoor entertaining area.

Guide Price: £475,000 (OIRO).

Find Out More: Fairweather Estate Agency, Dolphin Lane, Boston, PE21 6EU. Call 01205 336122 or see fairweather-estateagents.co.uk n

77

UNSURPASSED QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms - full project management and free quotations

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

Tel: 01507 527113

W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

78

PJCabinetMakers

KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BOOT ROOMS • STUDIES INDIVIDUALLY MADE FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Call 07534 808903 richwood-cabinetmakers@hotmail.com BRING RICHWOOD INTO THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

80

82

HOME FURNISHINGS

We’re as Keen as

MUSTARD Few colours are as warm and as welcoming as a rich mustard hue, evoking the gentle glow of the midsummer sun and with the ability to make the summer seem like it’ll last a little longer. We’re this month on a mission to warm up the area’s finest reception rooms...

This Spread: Manor House collection from Clarke & Clarke, featuring a mix of embroidered patterns on linen, woven checks and jacquards with complimenting linen plains.

83

Each of our featured fabrics are stocked by the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading independent interior designers...

Top: Linking Asia with the Mediterranean Sea, Sanderson Caspian celebrates the colours and chintzes of Indo-Persian and Ottoman designs Above/Right: Clarke and Clarkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manor House.

Right: Sanderson Sycamore Weave fabrics in mustard seed colourway.

84

Bukhara floral and geometrics in Citrus colourway from Clarke & Clarke.

85

Caspian by Sanderson.

Above: Snow Tree in gold from Colefax & Fowler.

Right: Bavaro by Harlequin, batik style two-colour wallpaper with a foliage trail motif.

Above/Right: Pickle from Prestigious Textiles, Momentum from Harlequin and Embleton Bay from Sanderson.

Local Suppliers...

Anelise Home: 01522 530400, www.anelisehome.co.uk.

Delcor: 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk.

Lees Furnishers: 01472 353251 www.leesfurnishers.co.uk.

Richard Sutton Interiors: 01472 268377, richardsuttondesigninteriors.com.

Sack Store: 01205 310101, www.sackstore.co.uk.

Stevensons: 01472 233111, www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk. n

87

FULL DESIGN SERVICE, ALL MANAGED UNDER ONE ROOF

• Contemporary, modern, traditional & handmade bespoke kitchens • Affordable, quality kitchens and the latest designs on display • Over 60 appliances on show • Review our recent jobs on our website www.qksstamford.co.uk or visit our Facebook page • 25 large room settings in our extensive showroom The best quality, best value and best service from a company fitting kitchens since 1981

THE AREA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT KITCHEN SHOWROOM The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford PE9 2NA T: 01780 756514 or 755855

E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk

Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat, 9am-3pm, closed all day Sunday

88

The magic of the movies in your home Let us design and build your ultimate home theatre with big-screen action, fully-immersive sound and luxurious seating

1 APS House, Oldmedow Road, Hardwick Industrial Est, King’s Lynn PE30 4JJ www.coretechnologyprojects.co.uk 01553 776413 CCTV & ALARMS • HOME CINEMA • SMART HOMES • NETWORKING • CORPORATE AUDIO & VISUAL 89

1

2

3

- GARDENING -

Summer Colour

8

4

1. Digitalis or Foxglove Beautiful magenta colour and a must for every English garden from £3.49.

2. Lupin Easy to grow and must for summer borders from £2.49/ea; £6/three.

3. Delphinium From deep blue and pink, delphiniums can be pricked out and planted now for late summer colour £call.

4. Hollyhocks Great for adding height in summer borders, plant now for pricking out in late June £3.49.

5. Wallflowers Long lasting colour into the autumn, grow from seed now then bed out in August from £3.49.

6. Lavender Fabulous fragrance and bee-friendly, with colours from white to deep purple from £4.99, plant this month.

7. Nepeta Better known as catmint, creates glorious drifts of purple, benefits from a Chelsea Chop in June from £5.99.

8. Hydrangea A bulky shrub in blue, pink and purple offering plenty of body and colour from £12.99.

Available at Johnson’s Garden Centre, Wainfleet Rd, Boston, PE21 9RL. Tel: 01205 363408, www.johnsonsofboston.co.uk

7

6

5

ELECTRIC & MANUAL GATES, AND BESPOKE METALWORK FABRICATION SPECIALISTS 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE, FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTES

01522 688285 • 07748 187801 www.mjbmetalwork.co.uk

Entries now accepted for the Summer Sales Program & The Fine Art of Auctioneering in Lincolnshire Here for whatever you are selling...

Left: Walter Hunt.

1883, Oil on canvas, 46cm x 62cm.

Regulated by RICS - The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor & private client advice & services for valuation, auction sale & property clearance.

The Bourne Auction Rooms

The Grantham Auction Rooms

T: 01778 422686 T: 01476 565118 E: bourne@goldingyoung.com E: grantham@goldingyoung.com The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor & BRM Buildings, Spalding Road, Old Wharf Road, Grantham, services for valuation, auction sale & property clearance Bourne, PE10 9LE NG31 7AA

The Lincoln Auction Rooms T: 01522 524984

E: lincoln@goldingyoung.com private client advice &

Thos. Mawer House, Station Road, North Hyekham, Lincoln, LN6 3QY

Visit goldingyoung.com for catalogues, sale results, services & contact details.

96

HERITAGE WINDOW SPECIALISTS ENHANCE THE STYLE, VALUE AND APPEARANCE OF YOUR HOME WITH THE VERY LATEST ALUMINIUM, WOOD OR UPVC FLUSH CASEMENT BESPOKE WINDOWS & DOORS. UNRIVALLED QUALITY & SPECIFICATION, MANUFACTURED IN THE UK BY CRAFTSMEN.

Call our friendly team on 0115 855 6010 hello@hardwickwindows.co.uk â&#x20AC;¢ www.hardwickwindows.co.uk VISIT OUR SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

98

TRAVEL

GREAT ESCAPES

Don’t go... stay! That’s the message of the UK tourism industry as it remains keen to recover as quickly and fully as possible from lockdown and a lost season of trade. We agree... we’ll happily forgo airports, departure lounges and jetlag in favour of a luxury break to nearby Norfolk... after all, if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us! Here’s where to stay and what to do!

Words: Rob Davis.

LET’S TALK ABOUT TOURISM. We all like to get away, and in the past decade or two we’ve enjoyed an unprecedented availability of air travel with cheap carriers driving down the cost of flights.

That’s led to more people than ever going abroad. And that’s bad for UK tourism. It’s bad for the environment - all that air traffic - and it’s lead to a false notion that to get away from it all we have to endure departure lounges, long haul travel and jetlag.

Better to arrive than travel...

Nope. The UK has much to offer tourists, not least in locations like the Cotswolds and the Lakes, but closer to home. Norfolk - and specifically the North Norfolk Coast - has much to offer visitors.

That’s why, back in 2014, Emma Mason created Barefoot Retreats. The co-founder, owner and director created the business in the discretely affluent area of North Norfolk, curating a portfolio of over 100 self-catering retreats for short breaks or holidays, for anywhere between two and 24 guests.

For Couples or Families...

Some of the properties in the company’s portfolio are boltholes for a romantic getaway. Some properties are large enough to accommodate entire families and large groups for special occasions.

Alongside quirky, luxurious or just plain quaint properties, Zoe and the team offer a concierge service for guests, enabling them to provide not just a nice looking place to stay, but recommendations for places to dine, provision of private dinner parties, picnics or beach barbecues, spa days and beauty treatments, babysitters, dog walkers, even pleasure flights in helicopters or hot air balloons.

The Joy of North Norfolk

After just an hour or so travelling, you’ll be transported to a county of expansive coastlines, wild and wonderful scenery, quiet country pubs offering proper food, history, and really good shopping. Guests enjoy a welcome hamper, logs and kindling for a

Above: Blickling Hall is North Norfolk’s National Trust-owned Jacobean mansion, just one of the attractions to enjoy in the area whilst you’re enjoying luxury accommodation courtesy of Barefoot Retreats. From romantic boltholes to family-sized properties, you’ll find self-catering accommodation that will prove it’s better to arrive than travel.

99

property’s open fire. Dogs are welcome in many properties and Zoe’s team are always happy to volunteer ideas for places to eat, places to walk or local places to visit.

A Time to Dine...

Luxurious dining to complement your luxurious accommodation is obligatory.

We’ll recommend Socius and No29 - both in Burnham Market - for modern British plates with lots of local ingredients used.

There’s also Eric’s Fish ‘n’ Chip restaurant in Thornham which takes the traditional dish to a whole new level and is - without exaggeration or hyperbole - exceptional!

Your Travel Itinerary...

Heacham’s Norfolk Lavender is worldfamous and the season lasts into early August, so if you’re quick, you may catch sight (and scent) of 100 acres in cultivation and find out more about the site, founded in 1932.

North Norfolk is, of course, good enough for the Royals, too. The area’s Sandringham Estate is a retreat not just for Her Majesty, but for those seeking to enjoy the estate’s 60-acres of garden, flower show, usually held in July and outdoor theatre. Other stately homes include the National Trust’s Blickling Estate with its Jacobean mansion and 4,600 acres of parkland, and the Palladian Holkham Hall with its fine collection of art.

Those who enjoy shopping will love the independent retailers of Holt and Burnham Market who shops and galleries are troves of art, antiques, books with fashions, too, and plenty of local produce available from independents shops for your self-catering delectation.

And finally, there’s coastal birdwatching at Titchwell Marsh, beaches on which to snooze as well as the North Norfolk Railway for those who yearn for the nostalgia of steam.

All this we promise, and more, plus the very finest accommodation courtesy of Barefoot Retreats, such as those we’re featuring here...

Above: From the top, the North Norfolk Railway provides a halcyon journey back to the days of steam. Norfolk’s lavender fields will just about still be in bloom as Pride goes to press. The scenery around Cley Mill is typically pretty, great for photographers and artists! Sandringham estate, home of HM The Queen!

100

Captain’s Cottage, Wells-Next-The-Sea...

Two beds; sleeps four, dogs welcome FOR A SMALL FAMILY, or for two couples, The Captain’s Cottage in Wells provides a bedroom with a superking bed and a second bedroom that can be configured as a twin or double with a second superking bed.

If you’re travelling with friends there are plenty of independent shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants to enjoy.

If you’re with children, you can enjoy Wells’ clean safe beach, the little train that trickles into the town centre and crabbing from the quayside. The house has buckets ‘n’ spades, kites & fishing nets for children to enjoy too.

From £590*

The Captain’s Cottage is a modern, stylish couples and family retreat set on the outskirts of Wells-next-the-Sea. Thoughtfully designed and beautifully furnished, this luxury bolthole is the ideal base from which to explore this vibrant town. The house also welcomes dogs so you can take along your four-legged friend, and there are lots of great walks to enjoy.

An enclosed garden with barbecue and a wood burner for the cooler nights both mean what you’ll always be safe and snug at any time of year. >>

Above: The open plan living area consists of a cosy lounge, sophisticated dining area and a contemporary kitchen.

* Captain’s Cottage price is quoted for seven night break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

101

Cobblestones, Burnham Market...

4 beds; sleeps 8

From ÂŁ1,400*

FAMILY OCCASION PENDING? Get together in Burnham Market and enjoy the contemporary sophistication of Cobblestones.

With stunning bedrooms and bathrooms, plentiful off-road parking, and enclosed garden, you can arrive and settle in for a relaxing break.

The beaches of Brancaster and Holkham are a 10 minute trip in the car, as are many other fantastic options for dining out.

Cobblestones is a fantastic blend of contemporary styling, facilities and space, in a quiet location that is only a two-minute walk from the exceptional range of independent shops and restaurants for which Burnham Market is renowned.

The design of the living area has created an open, airy feel that encourages you to take in the greenery of the garden and the village beyond, with bi-fold doors allowing you to open up the house on sunny, warm days. >>

* Cobblestones price is quoted for short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

102

Redshanks, Burnham...

6 bedrooms; sleeps 12, heated pool, dogs welcome, From ÂŁ3,245*

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, a family of 12 can get together to enjoy Redshanks with its six bedrooms and luxury accommodation with a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Blessed with stunning views of the North Norfolk coastline and its local countryside, Redshanks has been lovingly renovated to offer a refuge for relaxation with stylish design elements and tasteful furnishing.

Its rural location provides great views of the surrounding farmland to the East and the sand dunes and Scolt Head Island to the North. Redshanks is a large coastal retreat designed with family get-togethers in mind and is wonderfully placed for exploring all that the Norfolk coastline has to offer.

Redshanks has two living rooms both with wood-burning stoves, a stylish kitchen with Aga, coffee machine and separate wine cooler, plus north and south-facing gardens with heaving fruit trees and herbs.

The adjacent beach features spectacular wildlife including seals, waders, skylarks and the odd passing hobby. Historic Holkham with its famous unspoilt beach, Burnham Market and its boutique shopping and Wells-next-the-Sea with its beach huts are all only a short drive away too. Sailing and golf are available a short drive away, too. >>

* Redshanks price is quoted for a three or four night short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

103

West Barn 35A From £495* Sleeps two, dogs welcome,

located in North Creake

THERE’S NOWHERE MORE ROMANTIC for a couple’s getaway than West Barn in North Creake.

West Barn offers everything that you could possibly need to relax and unwind.

The cottage is very well-equipped throughout with modern integrated kitchen that flows into the open plan dining and lounge spaces. Furthermore, by opening the bi-fold doors you can open up the rear of the house to allow the outside in, a fantastic feature in the summer.

You’re sure to be wowed, too, by the high levels of attention to detail and the unique nature of the interior design.

Equally comfortable during the summer when enjoying the enclosed garden and the open plan lounge, or in the middle of the winter when a glass of wine by the wood burner is calling.

The cottage boasts some unique pieces of furniture and really showcases the attention to detail of the owner and their talent for interior design. Many items have been sourced from the personal collection of the owner, adding to the unique nature of the property.

A second property, West Barn 35B is located next door and also sleeps two, so two couples can book both properties and each enjoy their own accommodation. >>

* West Barn price is quoted for a three or four night short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

104

The Bell Tower, Thornham...

Three bedrooms; sleeps seven, dogs welcome IF THE PROSPECT OF A SHORT BREAK tolls for thee, The Bell Tower could fit the bill perfectly. Deceptively spacious, sleeping seven, it’s a stunning self-catering holiday home bursting with history, character and authenticity.

It has recently been lovingly refurbished to an exceptional standard that perfectly blends the original features and charm of the property with contemporary living.

You are well-positioned within the village where you have everything on your doorstep from fabulous restaurants and eateries to a

From £725*

beautiful beach just a short walk away. The property also boasts off-road parking and is dog-friendly too!

The Bell Tower is the west wing of what was Thornham County Primary School built in 1858 by William Hogge Esquire, a wealthy banker with connections to Kings Lynn but was brought up at the family home of The Manor, Church Lane in Thornham.

The Bell Tower has been thoughtfully designed and beautifully furnished throughout with original features like the bell rope, and there’s an enclosed garden too. n

* Bell Tower price is quoted for a seven night break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

Barefoot Retreats provides Luxury holiday cottages and unique holiday homes to rent in North Norfolk. Call 01485 512245 or see www.barefootretreats.co.uk.

105

C O N S E R VAT O R I E S , ORANGERIES

&

ROOF LANTERNS

BESPOKE AND L O C A L LY H A N D M A D E IN HARDWOOD

01529 300609 07832 344046 morrissandshawgardenhouses.com info@morrissandshawgardenhouses.com chris@morrissandshawgardenhouses.com 107

• Tree Surgery & Felling

• £10 Million Public Liability

• Tree Reports

• NPTC Qualified

• BS 3998

• BSC Honours Landscape Ecology

• BS 5837 • Stump Grinding • Site Clearance

• Professional Tree Inspection

• National Diploma in Forestry and • Council Approved Arboriculture Contractor • Hedge Cutting

108

109

You can now enjoy your Pride Magazine with our brand new App on your tablet... completely free of charge!

110

Read online now at

w w w.p r i d em agazines.co.uk To advertise your business to the wealthiest people in the county email sales@pridemagazines.co.uk 111

112

WEDDINGS

PERSISTENCE

PAYS OFF! This month’s groom was determined to win the heart of the girl who nearly got away. Proving that persistence is a virtue we hear about the romantic proposal and wedding planning adventure of Sadie and Nick Jackson...

Photographer: Jessy Jones Photography, 07947514456, www.jessyjonesphotography.co.uk.

If you’ve an opportunity to be truly happy, don’t ignore it. That’s the philosophy of this month’s groom, Nick Jackson, a teacher from Grantham.

He and Sadie met on a night out when Sadie was celebrating her birthday, but the two didn’t seen each other again until after Sadie had returned from studying at university in Manchester. Despite the elapse in time the two recognised each other immediately and exchanged numbers.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS SADIE & NICK

Happily, Sadie got both her biscuit and the chance to plan a dream wedding. Nick’s proposal took place in February 2017 and the couple married in August last year.

“We took two years to plan the wedding which I think was wise,” say Sadie. “I knew I didn’t want a hotel wedding. I wanted something different - perhaps outdoors, in a marquee or tipi.”

“We visited Scrivelsby Walled Garden after viewing a few other venues. It was a miserable day, siling down with rain and out of season.

Even so, the place looked incredible and I said to Nick ‘this is it! This is the venue!’”

“He pestered me for a date and initially I was a bit reluctant to get into a relationship, but soon I thought ‘why not... he is lovely!’”

The rest is history and Nick proved to be a wonderful boyfriend as well as a best friend.

Sadie, meanwhile proved to be... well, in need of a biscuit, actually!

“Gail showed us around and it proved to be a really practical venue - private, versatile but really pretty too. The gardens work with Wonderland, their tipi provider, and you can configure the space to suit your wedding.”

“I honestly didn’t have a clue that a proposal was imminent,” says Sadie. “Nick arranged for a surprise holiday and took me to Iceland. One of the three ‘Golden Circle’ attractions - alongside the Thingvellir National Park and Geysir Geothermal Area - was the Gullfoss waterfall.”

“Our ceremony took place at the 13th century St Benedict’s Church on the estate, and the short walk from the church to the gardens for a reception is via a beautiful meadow, which was beautiful; all the guests commented on it. It was the perfect little church and a perfect place to our reception!”

“Nick wouldn’t let me in our backpack which was annoying because I was starving and became a bit hangry. He wanted a photograph together but was being very fussy about who he would trust to take it.

Again, I was getting a bit tetchy!”

“He eventually chose someone to take the photo and to my absolutely amazement, went down on one knee in front of the waterfall. It was simply the most spectacular place he could propose, truly beautiful!”

Photographer: Jessy Jones 07947514456, www.jessyjonesphotography.co.uk.

Venue: scrivelsbywalledgarden.co.uk.

Tipi: wonderlandweddingvenues.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: The Ivory Room, 01526 268030, theivoryroombridal.co.uk.

Caterers: Rolling Scone, 07764 859260, www.the-rolling-scone.co.uk.

Florist: Rosedale House, 01507 239068, www.rosedalehousefloraldesigns.co.uk.

Hair/MUA: Kiss & Makeup by Rachel Bray, Hair by Leanne.

Decor: Peonies & Proposals, Save The Date Stylists.

Entertainment: Stereo Soldiers. n

“I chose a Justin Alexander dress from Woodhall Spa’s Ivory Room. Victoria was lovely, so patient and friendly. My sister Frances - who was Maid of Honour - picked the dress out and a suggested I try it on. It wasn’t what I was expecting but when I tried it on, again, I knew it was the one.”

“We were fortunate to have some really good suppliers. The Rolling Scone provided our catering, and our wedding photographer, Jessy Jones was superb.” >> 113

- WEDDINGS -

“If I had to give any advice to couples, it would be to make the day unique and special. Impart your taste and personality into the day...” >> “She has given us some wonderful images to enjoy for the rest of our lives and captured all of the little details of the day, as well as our guests’ expressions.”

“We used a white and grey colour scheme which we thought would be classical and simple. Horncastle’s Rosedale House supplied our flowers and Tilly Eats Cake provided our wedding cake.”

“In the church, as we were saying our vows, our two flower girls Olivia and Ella suddenly made a dash for the door - perhaps fearing they’d have to get married next - which was hilarious and so lovely.”

“The speeches were incredible too; Nick’s Best Man was his brother and the look of horror on my mother-in-law’s face during some of the cheeky stories was hilarious, the guests were howling with laughter!”

“Our honeymoon to the Maldives was really incredible, although Nick managed to lose his wedding ring! No matter... as least I’ve still got him!”

“I used to be a wedding planner at Belton Woods near Grantham, and I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed helping to create a couple’s special day.”

“I made a few of the finishing touches myself and I’ve since started to work as a wedding planner, initially for friends and family. I’ve never been happier!”

“If I had to give any couple planning their wedding some advice it would be to make their day unique and special; to impart their taste and their personality into the day.”

“Once you’ve planned the fundamentals, you can enjoy putting finishing touches and flourishes into the day to make it really special. Also, you should enjoy every single second. It’s a cliché, but it’s true; the day does go so quickly. You should enjoy and make the most of every single moment!” n 114

Photographer: Jessy Jones Photography, 07947 514456, jessyjonesphotography.co.uk.

Wedding transport to ensure you enjoy the day of your dreams...

UNIFORMED CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN TRANSPORT FOR THE BRIDAL PARTY, GROOM OR GUESTS COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE AND DECORATIVE RIBBONS TO SUIT YOUR COLOUR SCHEME

08000 149 222 | www.chauffeur-vip.co.uk

Mercedes S-Class, E-Class executive saloons, Mercedes V-Class for 6-7 passengers and Mercedes Sprinter 16 passenger executive minibus.

115

116

Set in 88 acres of breathtakingly beautiful parkland, the award-winning Branston Hall provides a truly magical setting for your wedding day and incredible photo opportunities to capture those special moments.

The hotel offers unparalleled service and a luxury ambience with bespoke wedding packages to suit all budgets.

WEDDINGS • SPA • RESTAURANT • BAR • NON RESIDENTS • EVENTS • FUNCTIONS • INDOOR POOL • CONFERENCES • GARDENS • PICTURESQUE LAKE • AFTERNOON TEA • 50 BEDROOMS

118

BANISH THE

BLUES Light blue, deep blue, dark blue, true blue... whatever your shade, you’ll embrace the colour when it’s employed in summer outfits from designer Betty Barclay...

This Page: Blue and white tiered dress, £90.

119

Navy and white printed top, ÂŁ25. Matching skirt ÂŁ35.

Navy floral print dress, ÂŁ105.

121

This page and opposite: Navy reversible dress, ÂŁ90.

Pale blue floral print dress, ÂŁ135.

122

Mid blue shirt dress, £90.

123

- FASHION -

This page and opposite: Navy reversible dress, ÂŁ90.

124

125

126

- FASHION -

Opposite page, Navy and white striped knee-length dress, £80. This page, navy textured knee-length dress, £105.

Navy horizontal striped dress, £105. Pale blue striped shirt dress, £105. Ruched shoulder knee-length dress, £80.

Betty Barclay can be found at John Lewis and House of Fraser, other local stockists too.

127

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979

Francis Klein glasses range in stock now.

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

128

SUMMER BEAUTY

Poppies Appeal WHILST POPPIES ARE MORE COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH NOVEMBER, WHEN THEY PAY TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES, THEY’RE ALSO SEEN IN SUMMER, BRIGHTENING UP OUR HEDGEROWS... AND THANKS TO THESE POPPY RED COSMETICS, OUR APPEARANCE, TOO!

1. An Uplifting, Sensual and Addictive Perfume Giorgio Armani presents Sì Passione, a perfume that radiates confidence, seduction and strength. It has the red lip effect in a bottle and mirrors the same emotions that a swipe of red lipstick can instantly give you. At first the sweet, syrupy scent of blackcurrant is energised with the fresh notes of Pear and the surprising spicy, invigorating, kick of Pink Pepper. Enhanced with the floral spicy scent of red rose makes this an addictive and feminine scent, £55 - £100.

2. Defence Barrier Kiehl’s Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Serum boasts a fast-absorbing, lightweight formula for boosting the skin’s natural defence barrier against daily stressors. It promotes a more youthful, radiant looking complexion at the same time as reducing any visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and uneven textures. It will leave you feeling and looking refreshed, £42.

3. Kissable Lips

Rouge Coco Flash by Chanel. In a stroke, it applies easily over the lips and transforms into a shiny oil for a sensation of absolute comfort all day long. Its high concentration of pigments gives it vibrant, shiny and dazzling colours (shade 66 Pulses shown), £31.

5. Perfect Skin Overnight Rodial’s Dragon’s Blood Night Cream is an overnight skin perfecting moisturiser which targets all visible signs of ageing. As you sleep the retinol penetrates deep in to the skin to help plump fine lines, minimising their appearance whilst hyaluronic acid reduces the look of wrinkles by morning, leaving you looking brighter and more even-toned, £77.

6. Spoil Yourself with 24 Sensational Lip Shades...

Huda Beauty understands the impact a bold lip colour can have, so its Power Bullet Lip Vault includes a staggering 24 shades, allowing you to reinvent yourself on a daily basis.

With brilliant pigmentation and a matte finish that stays put, each shade is comfortable, long wearing and ready to own any room, £400.

4. Vanish By Magic “My secret formula can cheat the appearance of a full night’s rest!” says Charlotte Tilbury.

This Magic Vanish colour corrector neutralises and smooths to cheat and conceal pigmentation and brighten the appearance of your under-eye area, for a flawless-looking complexion! £24

n All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary according to retailer.

129

130

MOTORS

VITAL MORGAN Gloriously and defiantly different, a Morgan has always been the way to defy practicality and break from convention, no wonder Rob Davis is such a fan of this thoroughly British retro rebel...

Words: Rob Davis.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, would you? Really? If you could wind back the hands of the clock and return to your youth?

I admit the idea of having hair, losing the paunch, waving goodbye to the fine lines and regaining my youthful optimism does appeal... but alongside the loss of those less desirable characteristics, who would want to return to a time of naivety, to youthful transgressions, failures and insecurities?

That’s the problem with nostalgia, isn’t it?

It comes with a tint of rose that colours the past with a decidedly unreal hue. And of course, with age usually comes that feeling of being a little more comfortable in our own skin, indeed, a little more comfortable generally.

I wouldn’t return to an age when smartphones were sci-fi, and when performing one’s ablutions took place in a tin bath by the fire, or when navigation meant maps, not sat navs.

In our personal lives, and our homes, and our motors, I generally follow the rule of thumb that nostalgia can take a hike and modern convenience rules OK.

But if there’s one sight guaranteed to make me wonder if, back then, we had it sussed, it’s the joyous, bulbous, swooping, halcyon profile of a Morgan sports car.

Based in Malvern and now 111 years old as a brand, Morgan is perhaps one of the longest-established motoring brands still in its present form today. From the appearance of its cars you’d think time has stood still and development of the brand’s cars has been aspic-like. But as is usually the case, here, appearances deceive and the devil is typically in the detail.

There are three models available in the company’s portfolio; a oddball three wheeler, then the Plus Four and Plus Six, referring to each model’s respective number of cylinders.

This model is the new Plus Four, and it’s newer than you might think, despite the continuity in the car’s appearance. Just 3% of the car’s mechanicals and components are carried over from the outgoing model. A part of the car’s chassis is still crafted from timber, but much of its underpinnings now comprise steel with a bonded aluminium platform.

Hand Built Heaven: Three retro models made manually...

Caterham Seven: With prices starting at £33,495, the 135bhp, five-speed Super Seven 1600 fits perfectly into Caterham’s existing heritage line of products as a permanent addition, alongside the Sprint and Super Sprint models launched in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Inspired by the craftsmanship of the original Super Seven and the early cars created under the historic Caterham badge, the new Super Seven features a raft of retro details and styling cues. These include the classic flared front wings, retro-inspired 14” alloy wheels, a spare wheel and carrier harking back to the touring Sevens of old, and a choice of Seven heritage paint finishes. n

Lotus Elise: The purest useable sports car on sale remains one of the great driving experiences available at any price. Offering 217 hp and 250 Nm of torque, the 1.8-litre supercharged, chargecooled four-cylinder has been tuned to deliver stunning real-world performance and class-leading efficiency. 0-60 mph is now despatched in 4.2 seconds. From £44,600, it’s available in a range of wild colours and though Lotus has opted for a more modern appearance - a sort of shrunken but new GT instead of retro look like models from Morgan or Caterham - the overall look is pleasing to say the least. n

The aim was to keep the appearance, shed a little weight, stiffen the chassis for a tauter driving experience and - mercifully - to make ingress and egress a little more dignified.

There’s another interesting change from the outgoing model, too. Morgan has always used donor engines from other manufacturers including Ford, and latterly BMW.

Ariel Atom: Every so often something comes along which changes the way we think. Nobody knows it at the time but it will become an icon. The Ariel Atom is such a product. No doors, no roof, no compromise. It’s unique, it's original and nothing else comes close. Nothing at all. Form following function and design with a purpose. Race car engineering and quality components outclassing every car in its field. Honda 2.0 litre i-VTEC. 16 valves. 60mph is seen off in 2.8 seconds, top speed is 162mph, but you’ll quit way before that. n

132

The Plus Four uses a 2.0 TwinPower four cylinder engine which generates 350nm of torque in the Morgan, and 400nm in BMW’s 320d SE saloon. However, the Morgan weighs 1,013kg; the BMW weighs about 500kg more, so drivers can gain more thrills from the same engine when it’s underneath the long swooping bonnet of a Morgan than in the more prosaically styled executive saloon.

“The Morgan is available with an automatic gearbox for the first time. Iconoclastic? Sacrilege? No. It’s a BMW gearbox, so you’ll soon regard it as a blessing, not an aberration...”

And there’s something else. The Morgan is now also available with... shock, horror... a thoroughly modern eight-speed automatic gearbox. No clutch; just cruising. And because the BMW-sourced gearbox has been honed in cars like the 3-Series and 5-Series, its changes are so silky smooth you’ll quite soon regard the self-shifter as a blessing, not an aberration.

Inside the cabin there’s the same leather available in 11 colours, a choice of soft grain leathers to cover the dashboard, 16 different

colours of carpet, a choice of stitching for the seats, and eight trims including a beautiful matte or gloss tawny veneer. Central locking and power steering are now standard, air con can be specified for the first time.

But of course, if you wanted modernity and comfort, you’d look elsewhere. Especially given the choice the £63,000 asking price the Plus Four commands. It takes 9,300 minutes to produce a Morgan, and it’s time well-spent. Mere nostalgia? Perhaps, but with just a hint of civilisation. n

MORGAN PLUS FOUR Price: £62,995 (available to order now).

Drivetrain: 2.0 V4 manual or automatic, 255bhp, 400Nm torque.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 5.5 seconds.

Top Speed: 149mph.

Economy: 40mpg (estimated).

Equipment: Leather, power steering, 15” wire wheels, digital instrument binnacle. Optional air con, heated seats, stereo. n

134

MOTORS

SPACE & COMFORT The humble estate car has all but ceded its dominance to the almighty SUV. But, says Rob Davis, they’re worth another look... especially Volvo’s spacious and luxurious V90...

Words: Rob Davis.

A FEW DECADES AGO, posh folk in the country and rurally situated antiques dealers would have availed themselves of a big boxy Volvo estate to shift grandfather clocks and labradors. Then along came the SUVshaped cars which have proved indomitable in the sales charts ever since.

Estate cars, bless them, have been all but forgotten about, overlooked in favour of higher-riding 4x4s and soft-roaders.

But the humble estate car is still worth a look, expecially Volvo’s excellent V90. For a start they’re lighter, offering better fuel economy and lower company car bills.

Riding lower to the ground they’re also better dynamically, with less body roll.

Volvo’s V90 was facelifted last month with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain which lowers CO2 and BIK, achieving 104mpg combined yet outpacing its siblings to reach 60mpg in less than six seconds.

The real selling point of the V90, though, is its massive boot space and beautiful interior.

A load-lugger par excellence, with a buttonfree, minimalist interior that’s beautifully finished, you should opt for the blonde, not black, leather and a lighter coloured wood for a spacious and airy cabin feel.

Every V90 is loaded with equipment heated leather, adaptive cruise, parking camera and navigation are standard - but higher-spec versions are costly. Likewise, if your motoring is predominantly urban, you’ll benefit from the plug-in powertrain but if you sprint along motorways regularly, a diesel may suit your needs better.

For that reason we’d opt for a lower-spec diesel V90, even though the range-topping Inscription with the plug-in hybrid engine is still hugely impressive and refined. n

VOLVO V90 T6 INSCRIPTION Price: £56,030 (on sale now).

Drivetrain: 2.0 V4 petrol with 87hp plug-in hybrid assistance.

Performance: 0-60mph 5.6secs, max speed 112mph.

Economy: 104.6mpg (WLTP).

Equipment: Heated and ventilated massaging leather, adaptive cruise, navigation, wood trim, climate control. n

135

You can now enjoy your Pride Magazine with our brand new App on your tablet... completely free of charge!

136

Read online now at

w w w.p r i d em agazines.co.uk To advertise your business to the wealthiest people in the county email sales@pridemagazines.co.uk 137

The Directory To advertise here call our friendly team on 01529 469977

COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE VERY BEST DENTAL HEALTH CARE...

“Before I joined the Dental Health Centre about two years ago my teeth weren’t in good shape.

I happened to pick up a copy of Lincolnshire Pride in my local restaurant and read a feature on the Dental Health Centre. I have since had two implants, one at the front and one at the side, which is a double one, as well as a bridge. The care I have received has been absolutely fantastic and the change my treatment has made to my life has been very dramatic...”

Steve Finn, Newark

Avenue Road, Grantham, NG31 6TA CALL 01476 594 480 WWW.DENTALHEALTHCENTRE.CO.UK • BRACES • DENTAL IMPLANTS • NERVOUS PATIENTS • HYGIENIST • FAMILY DENTISTRY • TOOTH WHITENING • WHITE FILLINGS • SAME DAY CROWNS • VENEERS •