Lincolnshire Pride July 2023

We’re in high spirits this month, and why wouldn’t we be? For a start it’s high summer and there’s plenty to enjoy across Lincolnshire, as you’ll see from this month’s What’s On pages. And of course, we’ve already enjoyed seeing the exhilarating moment that the RAF’s Red Arrows celebrated the Coronation of King Charles, and more recently the sight of The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight soaring over each of Bomber County’s historic RAF bases in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise, more colloquially known as the Dambusters’ Raid.

Lincolnshire is synonymous with the RAF which is why we’ve dedicated this month’s special feature to finding out what goes on at Waddington, Coningsby and Cranwell, and behind the scenes with our famous display teams too, as they raise awareness of the service’s importance. Elsewhere, we’re taking amazing pictures with help and advice from Lincoln Camera Exchange on Lincoln’s Silver Street. If you’re out and about this month with your camera, don’t forget we’d love to see the images you capture of our wonderful county!

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor

robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

We’re always looking for scenes of Lincolnshire to feature on our covers and in the magazine. If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

CONTENTS

NEWS & EVENTS

06 NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county including news of a brand new Bishop for Lincoln.

38 WHAT’S ON Live music and theatre productions in July.

HIGHLIGHTS

12 HIGH SPIRITS This month we’re taking a look at the work of the RAF, working hard across Bomber County to preserve heritage aircraft and stay up to date with the latest technology to ensure our security.

24 PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE

Venturing out this summer?

Don’t forget your camera, and don’t forget to read this month’s guide on how to take amazing photographs.

30 STAY AWHILE IN STAMFORD

Enjoying Lincolnshire’s beautiful Georgian town, with heritage, independent businesses and live entertainment.

FOOD & DRINK

44 DINING OUT Enjoying a visit to The Old Bakery, now run by Lincoln College to train future talent.

48 KENWICK PARK Rediscovering Louth’s country estate for dining, afternoon tea and relaxation.

52 RECIPES & WINE A barbecue pudding and English wines.

HOMES & GARDENS

56 WELCOME HOME Georgian style in the centre of Louth.

72 INTERIORS Cooks & Company.

LIFESTYLE

78 MOTORS A very special Land Rover.

80 FASHION Summer kaftans for the sun-savvy fashionista.

85 HIGH LIFE The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity’s NHS Ball.

90 WELLBEING Look Good, Feel Better.

94 WEDDINGS Grace & Jake’s royal celebration in Woodhall Spa.

THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content.

The magazine is also sold in leading newsagents and supermarkets and we also deliver the magazine to local businesses including selected hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area.

Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 45,000 online visitors viewing our magazines free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms. If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977.

THE PRIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Advertising Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

General Manager: Matthew Deere.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Sales Executives: Helen Eastaugh, Kim Alford, Aisha Joyce, Amy Meader, Mia Garner, Gemma Mills, Yvette Curry.

Accounts Department: Steve Parrish, Margarita Pavlesevica, Chloe Watson, Tamara Gardner, Bethany Freeman-Burdass.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

IT Manager: Ian Bagley.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

New Bishop of Lincoln announced...

DIOCESE OF LINCOLN CONFIRMS RT REVD STEPHEN CONWAY APPOINTMENT

The Diocese of Lincoln is pleased to confirm that 10 Downing Street has recently named The Rt Revd Stephen Conway as the next Bishop of Lincoln.

Bishop Stephen is already a well-known face in parishes across the Diocese of Lincoln, having been appointed Acting Bishop of Lincoln in November 2021, alongside his current role as Bishop of Ely. Bishop Stephen said that he is very much looking forward to the opportunity to continue his ministry in Lincolnshire. “It is a great pleasure and a privilege to be able to support and serve the people of Lincolnshire. This vast county known for its wide skies and fertile fields is home to a rich and diverse population. I am excited to listen as I seek to build upon the friendships and partnerships that I have begun to build across the diocese.”

“There are many opportunities ahead of us all and I look forward to working and praying with you as we come together and build strong, resilient faithful com-

£120,000 for Charity

SOPHIE ALLPORT ANNOUNCES THE FIRM HAS RAISED OVER £120,000 FOR CHARITY PARTNERS

munities which flourish in the love of Christ Jesus.”

The Rt Revd Dr David Court, Bishop of Grimsby and The Rt Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of

British homeware brand Sophie Allport has raised over £120,000 for its key charity partners in the 2022-2023 financial year.

The family-run business has always been passionate about working closely with charities that share similar core values and coordinate with its love for nature, people, and the planet. In the past five years the firm has raised over £300,000. Sophie Allport raises funds through sales from specific collections for two of its charity partners, including the National Trust and the Zoological Society of London

Grantham said, “In the 14 months that we have already worked with Bishop Stephen we have already deeply valued his experience, companionship and warm faith.” n

(ZSL). Meanwhile, their other key charity partners include the NGS, The Stroke Association and Buglife.

Founder and Artistic Director, Sophie Allport, explained: “Supporting different charities has always been a part of our Sophie Allport story. Raising funds to help these causes is so vital and key so they can continue to focus on their work in making our world a better place.”

“We’re so proud to support these remarkable charities and shout about all the incredible work they do.”

n See www.sophieallport.com.

LINCOLN

STAMFORD

Resorts retain awards...

MABLETHORPE, SKEGNESS AND SUTTON ON SEA ALL RETAIN THEIR BLUE FLAGS

Heritage Lincolnshire to transform Tower Gardens

Heritage

Lincolnshire has begun a consultation on its plans to transform Skegness’s Tower Gardens, aiming to restore the garden to their former glory through a scheme of hard landscaping and planting. Plans for the site, which will be fully accessible, can be seen at heritagelincolnshire.org. n

n LOCAL NEWS

Keep Britain Tidy has revealed the winners of the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards 2023, with Mablethorpe, Central Beach in Skegness and Central Beach in Sutton on Sea all retaining their Blue Flag awards.

The Awards which are now in their 36th year, recognise and celebrate country’s best beaches for their quality, the way they are managed and the

facilities they offer to visitors. The three ELDC-managed beaches are among 78 sites across the country that have met the most stringent criteria required as regards to water quality, well-kept beaches and environmental initiatives.

An ELDC spokesperson said “We’re thrilled that visitors can enjoy beaches which meet the highest standards for quality, safety and facilities.” n

New Council Chairman

COUNCILLOR ROBERT REID PLEDGES TO SUPPORT AIR AMBULANCE AND ST BARNABAS HOSPICE...

Robert Reid has been elected as county council chairman, at the AGM of Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Reid has served as a conservative county councillor for Bourne South and Thurlby since 2017. He was also a long-standing county councillor for Rutland County Council from 1998 to 2006.

The new council chairman has promised to support Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and St Barnabas Hospice during his tenure.

His vice chairman will be Councillor Eddie Strengiel and he will be supported throughout his term of office by his wife and Consort, Julia Reid. n

A new £19.4m community diagnostic centre will be built in Scunthorpe town centre as a ‘one-stop shop’ for tests, checks and scans. The centre will create capacity for an additional 146,000 appointments a year.

In Brief GRIMSBY

SCUNTHORPE

Health Centre

£20m

Fresh plans to save ice factory... Summer might be here but a battle to save Britain’s oldest ice factory is just hotting up. Great Grimsby Ice Factory fell into dereliction from the 1990s but owner Tom Shutes hopes to save the structure and turn it into a conference centre. A new planning applications built on the existing plans, approved in 2011, and will see the removal of several floors and some of the derelict machinery to secure the building’s structural integrity. A new load-bearing structure will be created in place of the current fabric and will facilitate the restoration of the building which in the 1950s created 1,200 tonnes of ice a day. n

LINCOLNSHIRE

SKEGNESS

SKEGNESS

Belton setting for Bridgerton series

BELTON HOUSE USED AS SETTING FOR QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY

Belton House, its orangery and grounds were used as filming locations for a new Bridgerton spin-off which has made its debut on streaming service Netflix.

Film crews were spotted there in August 2022, and though rumours circulated about the possibility of Dr Who’s 60th anniversary special being filmed there, it turns out that Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story was actually the series in production at the stately home.

The production team chose Belton House as a filming location over their other option, Kew Gardens, because the Grantham-based stately home afforded them more room to work.

Long working days ensued, with 21-hour days ending at 4.30am as the team remodelled the spaces to suit the series.

The marble entrance hall, for example, became the King’s bedroom and as the grounds near the orangery saw the creation of a real vegetable garden.

Scenes were also shot in the saloon, staircase hall, tapestry room and ante study... even the kitchen was transformed into a laboratory. Bridgerton is an historical

Leisure Centre for Boston

TWO POOLS AND NEW GYM PLUS PUBLIC PLAZA FOR BOSTON’S GEOFF MOULDER LEISURE CENTRE

series set against the backdrop of the Regency era, and Queen Charlotte is based on the Hanoverian wife of King George III. n

Councillor Biff Bean has taken the title of the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln and become the 818th First Citizen of the City of Lincoln. Wendy Bean was appointed as the Mayoress. Councillor Alan Briggs is Deputy Mayor and Wendy Mager is Lincoln’s Deputy Mayoress. n

BOSTON

Plans for the redevelopment, refurbishment and two-storey extension to a Boston leisure centre have been approved. The proposals for the Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre would see the existing two pools retained, new gym facilities and a new public plaza.

The centre’s refurbishment is possible thanks to the £21.9m of funding received from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities Towns Funding. John Leach, at Boston Borough Council, said: “This decision is a very important step on the road to new improved leisure facilities for the borough.” n

fiction-romance

GRANTHAM

Thimbleby Court Cottages are located on the outskirts of the town of Horncastle, with spectacular views over the Lincolnshire Wolds. The cottages are designed for people over the age of 55 and comprise of six properties in total; two of which are detached. Each cottage has its own garden with patio and there are also communal areas that can be enjoyed.

The properties are located next to the newly built, Thimbleby Court Care Home. Occupants of the cottages will have access to the shared facilities in the carehome. The cottages provide the perfect balance of having your own independent home while still benefitting from 24 hour care if/when it is needed.

Glenholme Healthcare offer high quality personal care but some occupants may prefer to be more private which is why we offer Arquella & Vayyar Care integrated solution, combining industry-leading touchless remote fall monitoring and second generation digital nurse call technology.

A ceiling-mounted sensor monitors a single room and outputs data such as fall detection and room occupancy to a central dashboard. Should an occupant have a fall it will feed directly into Arquella’s call solution, alerting Glenholme’s care team of any incidents through their digital panels and mobile handsets.

Contact

Middlegate Road West | Frampton | Lincolnshire | PE20 1BX

• Superb Family Residence Offering 8 Bedrooms

• Excellent Entertaining Facilities including 50ft Kitchen /Living Area

• Heated Indoor Swimming Pool with Gymnasium

• Atria Games Room, Private Garden Barbecue Area and Extensive Gardens with Lake

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £2.25 Million

Subject To Contract

North End | Swineshead | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE20 3NA

• Superb Five Bedroomed Detached House with EnSuite Master and Family Bathroom

• Large Open Plan Kitchen Dining, Utility Room, Living Room

• Driveway, Garage, Private Rear Garden with Patio and Summerhouse

• An Energy Efficient Home with Luxury Fittings in Excellent Condition

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION NO ONWARD CHAIN £395,000

Subject To Contract

• Spacious Well Modernised Cottage with 3 Reception Rooms in Desirable Residential Location on Edge of Village

• Suitable for Equestrian Use with Stables, Garaging and Workshops

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £550,000

Subject To Contract

CEDAR HOUSE

17 TANSY WAY

Pinchbeck | Spalding | Lincolnshire | PE11 3YU

WALNUT TREE COTTAGE

SPIRITS HIGH

Since the First World War and the earliest era of air defence, Lincolnshire has always been synonymous with the RAF. But what actually goes on at Cranwell, Coningsby and Waddington?

This month we take a deep dive into the world of the RAF as it contributes not just to Britain’s security, but the stability of the rest of the world too...

Words: Rob Davis.

RAF WADDINGTON

The latest tactical and intelligence aircraft...

ESTABLISHED in 1916 as a Royal Flying Corps Training base, RAF Waddington, is now one of the RAF’s busiest Stations. It is also the hub of UK ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) and the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems.

Air ISTAR is the RAF’s eyes and ears in the sky and provides British and NATO military commanders with critical information about activity on the ground, in the air, and at sea.

UK Space Command

The UK has a dedicated Space Command service, a joint command with responsibility shared between the RAF, Navy and Army. If aliens make contact, they’ll offer them the good biscuits.

The Station is home to the only RAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Squadron and is excited to be welcoming the Protector RPAS in the near future.

Among the specialist units on Station are the Air & Space Warfare Centre which provides integrated mission support to front line commanders, and the Air Battlespace Training Centre which prepares Service Personnel via demanding and immersive training scenarios across land, sea, and air.

Waddington has a celebrated aviation heritage which dates back to World War One and it was also the first RAF station to host the famous Avro Lancaster.

It is currently undertaking restoration of RAF Waddington’s ‘gate guardian’ an Avro Vulcan B2 which was used during the Falklands War in 1982. The station is also proud to be the home of the Red Arrows, The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

The Lincolnshire community is hugely important to RAF Waddington, and the station says it is very honoured and proud to have taken

part in the Freedom of Lincolnshire Parade in April.

“The support that the local community provides is invaluable to RAF Waddington, and we look forward to strengthening our close connections within the Lincolnshire Community in the future,”

Finally, absent since 2021 is the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, which used to be based at Waddington prior to moving into its dedicated facilities on Hems Way, just across the A15. n

Opposite Page: The Red Arrows fly along The Mall, heading towards Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee flypast. Image: SAC Emma Wade, UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022.

Smoke On, Go! That’s the command that Red One will give to instruct the pilots in the cockpits of their Hawk T1 aircraft to inject one of three colours of dye into the 400°c exhaust vapour of their Rolls Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk861 turbo fan engine to create the colourful trails of vapour that are the trademark of the RAF’s Red Arrows display team. Behind the nine display pilots there’s a total of 120 people all working hard to ensure that the team is able to complete about 65 displays each year. Since its formation the squadron has completed over 4,800 displays in 57 countries.

The team begin their lives as fast jet pilots who have accumulated over 1,500 flying hours on aircraft like the Tornado, Harrier or Eurofighter. Usually there are ten applications for each pilot vacancy, and if selected the pilot remains with the team for a three year secondment.

The first five pilots in the squadron’s formation are known as ‘Enid’ (as in, Blyton; as in the Famous Five), whilst the rear formation is known as

‘Hanna’ or ‘Gypo,’ a nickname of one of the team’s earlier members. The team flies one of three displays depending on conditions; full, rolling or flat. During a display, the team are as close as 30 metres from one another, transiting to their display height of 1,000ft, but flying as low as 300ft. The aircraft themselves are just short of 12 metres long, with a wingspan of 10m. Their maximum speed is 645mph and their single jet engine develops 5,200lbs of thrust. It’s really important to remember that beyond the pilots themselves, members of the team known as ‘Circus’ are assigned to each pilot, flying them to and from each display, whilst the ‘Blues,’ from which members of Circus are selected, are the support team responsible for mechanical, avionics, survival equipment and other technical specialisms, plus PR, photography and logistics.

The Red Arrows were formed in 1964 as an amalgamation of the Red Pelicans, Black Arrows giving the team their new and enduring identity. n

The Red Arrows: Flair in the air since 1965...

BBMF Coningsby

Also based at RAF Coningsby is the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) with its Lancaster and Dakota heavy aircraft, plus its Spitfire and Chipmunks. See later in this feature for more.

Top: The Price of Wales in the Typhoon Maintenance Facility with Commanding Officer RAF Coningsby, Group Captain Billy Cooper. Image: AS2 Moharram, UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022. Above: 9th December saw Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visit RAF Coningsby to view Coningsby’s Typhoon aircraft and discuss Tempest, the next generation aircraft expected to be in service by 2040. Image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022.

RAF CONINGSBY

Home to the Eurofighter Typhoon and the BBMF...

NEIGHBOURS Everybody needs good neighbours, so the theme tune goes. And the relationship between RAF Coningsby and its neighbours is something that Station Commander, Group Captain Billy Cooper never takes for granted.

“We ask a lot of our neighbours, and we’re extremely grateful for the support and understanding we receive locally. For example, last year following the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, we were taking off extremely early in the morning, as we provided support to NATO enhanced air policing. During that period we received just a single complaint, from a non-local who happened to be visiting the area.”

“We try to engage as much as possible with the community, contributing to life in and around the village as well as the surrounding area.”

RAF Coningsby covers about 1,000 acres and employs 3,500 people in total – about 2,500 employed by the RAF, with the balance comprising of civilians and industry partners like BAE Systems.

The base is home to five squadrons and is crucial in maintaining Britain’s fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, of which the country has over 100, each one worth about £100m. The aircraft came into service in 2003 and is designed as a multi-role fast jet, developed alongside partners Germany, Spain and Italy. The aircraft are about 16 metres long, with an 11 metre wingspan and they fly at Mach 1.8 (1,400mph) at an altitude of up to 55,000ft.

Fast jet pilots who have completed their training at RAF Valley on Hawk jets (like the Red Arrows fly, albeit the newer T2 version with its enhanced electronic cockpit displays) will go on to specialise in either the Eurofighter Typhoon or the newer F35 jet. If they specialise in the F35 they’ll be based at RAF Marham, otherwise they’ll complete their Typhoon operational conversion with 29 Squadron at Coningsby.

The base is home to some of the world’s most advanced simulators, operated by partner BAE Systems, which helps to ensure training is cost-effective, low risk and realistic.

The base has two operational squadrons (3 Fighter) and XI (Fighter), as well as 29 Squadron for training and 41 Squadron which tests and evaluates new technologies for the aircraft. The station is also home to 12 Squadron, a joint RAF-Qatari squadron, a reflection of the UK’s interest in maintaining stability in the Middle East.

RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland serve as Britain’s two Quick Reaction Alert stations – covering southern and northern airspace respectively – and responding to investigate potential threats to UK homeland. Coningsby is also the home of the Typhoon Display team (see later in this feature) and is a hub that provides servicing and maintenance of the Typhoon fleet for the whole of the RAF. n

Coningsby is home to Britain’s QRA air defence. The white-tipped object to the left of the front wheel is a live air-to-air missile.

RAF COLLEGE CRANWELL

Training the next generation of RAF officers...

FOR RAF PERSONNEL on their way to becoming commissioned officers, RAF College Cranwell provides training for officers and aircrew, and it has been doing so for over 100 years.

Covering 1,700 acres, RAF College Cranwell was established in 1915 when the Admiralty requisitioned land from the Marquess of Bristol to establish Royal Naval Air Service Training Establishment.

With the amalgamation of the RNAS and RFC (see opposite) in 1918, The Royal Air Force College Cranwell was formed on 1st November 1919 as the RAF (Cadet) College.

Today, RAF Cranwell is home to the RAF College, which provides initial officer training, plus the headquarters of the Central Flying School to train the instructors themselves, and No3 Flying Training School which uses Grob Prefect propeller and Phenom T1 very light jet aircraft to train new pilots.

Also at RAF Cranwell, No6 Flying Training School delivers flying training to university air squadrons, and the station is also home to the Band of the Royal Air Force College.

At the heart of RAF Cranwell is College Hall, a neo-classical hall which replaced a series of rather less impressive naval huts built in the 1920s. The building was officially opened by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, late Edward VIII, in October 1934.

Speaking of royalty, King Charles III completed his flying training at RAF Cranwell as a member of Graduate Entry class No 1 in August 1971.

The current Prince of Wales graduated from RAF Cranwell in 2008, receiving his wings from his father. King Charles returned to RAF Cranwell in 2020 to conduct the Sovereign’s Review. n

Above: RAF College Cranwell Graduation of the King’s Squadron and Sovereign’s Review. Image by Linda Lowing, © UK MoD Crown Copyright 2020.

Right: HRH Prince Charles graduating in 1971 pictured with the late Duke of Edinburgh.

A History of The RAF 1918 - 2023

The RAF is 105 years old, created with the amalgamation of previous services to become the world’s oldest independent air force...

Hugh Montague Trenchard.

PRIOR TO 1918 The British Army Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) were formed to take air combat operations. On 1st April 1918 these were amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force, the world’s first independent (of army or navy control) service concerned with air defence Hugh Montague Trenchard was the British Army officer described as the ‘Father of the Royal Air Force’ after taking on the role of Chief of the Air Staff in 1918.

Its original headquarters was the Hotel Cecil on Londons Embankment, and in November 1918 there were 291,170 people in the service, which fell to about 35,000 in the post WWI era.

This increased to a peak of 1,185,913 in April 1944, including 174,406 WRAF employees. Today there are about 33,300 personnel in the RAF, about 27,200 serving in the Royal Navy, 80,730 in the British Army and 6,650 in the Royal Marines. The RAF out of the three main services has the highest proportion of female officers, at 18.5%. n

The new High-G test facility at RAF Cranwell, used by fast jet pilots.

Graduation at RAFC Cranwell, MOD Crown Copyright, Andrew Wheeler.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT

Marking the 80th Anniversary of The Dambusters’ Operation Chastise...

IT’S TUESDAY 16TH MAY, and the team at The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are climbing into the cockpit of their Avro Lancaster PA474 in preparation for a flight to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid, Operation Chastise.

The Lancaster crew a special route over all of the major Bomber Command bases, beginning over RAF Spitalgate (since 1975 the British Army’s Prince William of Gloucester Barracks) at 6.58pm and reaching RAF Coningsby at 8.07pm.

The heritage flight was established in July 1957 at RAF Biggin Hill and relocated to Coningsby in 1976. The Flight operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft (these

are primarily used for training). The aircraft are flown by regular RAF Aircrew and aircraft can be regularly seen in the skies over the UK from May to September each year. They are flown to celebrate and commemorate public and military events from State occasions such as Trooping the Colour to major airshows and flypasts for public events.

Quite aside from the pilots, much of the maintenance of the aircraft takes place at the heritage flight’s Coningsby headquarters, with a team of 39 engineers who are highly specialised in ensuring the continuing airworthiness of the priceless machines.

n The adjacent Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre is operated by Lincolnshire County Council and is open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.

In 2014, The Battle of Britain’s Avro Lancaster, PA474 City of Lincoln was joined by Avro Lancaster, FM213 Vera, from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. The world’s only two airworthy Lancasters began a tour of the UK which thrilled enthusiasts. Image: Richard Paver, BBMF, UK MOD © Crown copyright.

TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM

Demonstrating the Eurofighter’s capabilities...

UNDOUBTEDLY the Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the most sophisticated aircraft on the planet and is currently the backbone of the RAF’s fast jet fleet. There’s also a dedicated display pilot and aircraft based at RAF Coningsby to show off the aircraft’s capability at both national and international air displays. 29 Squadron is based at Coningsby and is responsible for the training and operational conversion of pilots. One of its instructors is also chosen to fly the Typhoon in displays, and currently that pilot is Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty. He’s assisted by a management, engineering and PR team, as well as ground support, with a dedicated Typhoon nicknamed Blackjack, with its distinctive black livery. “It is the realisation of a boyhood dream to be given the opportunity to showcase the Eurofighter Typhoon for the Royal Air Force. Being selected as the display pilot for this year’s season is an honour and I count myself very lucky to be in this position,” says Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty.

n See Matt and the Typhoon in action at the North East Lincolnshire Armed Forces Weekend, Cleethorpes, 17th and 18th June.

Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty, UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023.

BBMF VISITOR CENTRE at RAF CONINGSBY...

HAVING OPENED in April 1996, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre is run by Lincolnshire County Council, rather than the flight itself, but the two work closely with one another welcoming over 32,000 into the centre and into the BBMF hangar every year.

Entry is by guided tour only, which means visitors benefit from a knowledgeable tour guide who can provide visitors with details of the individual aircraft histories and tell inspirational stories of the men and women who operated these types of aircraft during World War Two.

The adjacent hangar houses the Lancaster PA474, Douglas Dakota ZA 947, six Spitfires,

two Hurricanes and two Chipmunk aircraft, which are maintained by the team on site. Please be aware that sometimes the aircraft will not be present due to maintenance or displays. n

Find Out More: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight visitor centre, Dogdyke Road, Coningsby, Lincoln LN4 4SY, call 01522 782040, see www.visitlincolnshire.com, open Monday - Friday, 10am to 5pm.

INTERNATIONAL BOMBER COMMAND

CENTRE

BASED AT CANWICK and created in 2018, the International Bomber Command Centre was created for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the RAF and it remembers the 57,861 who gave their lives as part of air operations during WWII. A memorial spire features the names of everyone lost and the centre has created a searchable digital archive of photographs, letters and experiences. n

RIDE IN A LANCASTER

LINCOLNSHIRE’S Aviation Heritage Centre is the only place in the world you can enjoy a ride in a Lancaster. The team’s ‘Just Jane’ Lancaster NX611 is the star attraction of the centre, set up by the Panton Brothers in 1989 in memory of their brother. n

Find Out More: East Kirkby, PE23 4DE. 01790 763207 or see lincsaviation.co.uk.

AVIATION HERITAGE IN CRANWELL

CRANWELL’S Aviation Heritage Museum portrays the fascinating story of this historic establishment from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the current day. The experience includes interactive exhibits including a Jet Provost flight simulator, Vampire T11 Cockpit, exhibitions and artefacts. There is also a courtyard area with a Jet Provost aircraft. n

Find Out More: Open Friday - Monday, 10am - 3pm, see www.heartoflincs.com.

Find Out More: The IBCC is open from Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am - 5.00pm on Canwick Avenue, Lincoln LN4 2HQ. See www.internationalbcc.co.uk.

A rare opportunity to get up close and personal with heritage aircraft...

How to Take AMAZING PHOTOS

Camera conundrums addressed, just in time for summer photography! Jamie Scott of London Camera Exchange on Lincoln’s Silver Street explains how to take amazing photographs...

NOW THAT SUMMER’S HERE, chances are you’ll be venturing out, enjoying Lincolnshire’s stately homes and visiting our local landmarks, enjoying the East Coast or visiting an NGS open garden.

It’s likely, too, that you’ll have at the very least a mobile phone in your pocket, equipped with a half-decent camera. However decent the camera though, and irrespective of how many megapixels the manufacturer wants to boast about, a camera phone will only get you so far on your photographic journey.

Taking really amazing photos relies on both good equipment, but also knowing how to make the most of the camera you’ve invested in.

That’s why we’ve asked our friends at London Camera Exchange for their help getting the most out of your photography, and for their recommendations for cameras and accessories to enable you to graduate from taking pictures on your phone to using a dedicated camera. Here, LCE’s Jamie Scott addresses your common camera problems to ensure your summer photography is a success! >>

QWhy are some of the images I take too dark or too light and how can I control their exposure?

AFrom the earliest days of photography to the 21st century’s range-topping cameras, taking a photo simply amounts to exposing a sensor (previously you’d be exposing film) to light. Pressing the shutter button simply opens a window between the camera and the outside world. Even if you’re professional photographer, the three controls you have over that deceptively simple act are controlling the amount of time that the window is open, how wide the window opens and how sensitive the camera is to light. Leaving the shutter open for a longer duration allows more light though, but the longer the shutter is open, the easier it is to shake or move the camera mid-exposure. You can hand-hold a camera down to about one sixtieth of a second. If you need more light, it’s time to introduce flash or a tripod.

If you can’t leave your shutter open for a sufficiently long exposure to let enough light in, you can open the shutter wider. The most amount of light will come from a low aperture value (e.g.: f2.8, f4) but this will decrease the amount of your photo which is in focus (this is referred to as depth of field).

Finally, you can increase the sensitivity of your camera’s exposure to light by increasing the ISO from, say, 100 to 800. Your camera’s shutter priority (Tv) of aperture priority (Av) mode will let you control either one or the other. Manual mode (M) allows you to specify both shutter speed and aperture yourself. n

QHow can I stop my pictures from being blurry?

AFrom what we’ve learned about exposure already, we now know that the most probable cause of a blurry photograph is a shutter speed that’s too slow. Sometimes there’s just not enough natural light around, for instance, indoors or in the evening.

In this instance you can use flash to provide a blast of artificial light, or you can mount the camera on a tripod to provide a steady platform for exposures so long it would be impossible to hand a camera still.

Some lenses, and modern cameras like the latest ‘mirrorless’ ones have in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), in other words, they actively try to counteract camera shake, which provides an extra margin of safety to prevent blur.

Sometimes, of course, the lack of light or a slow shutter speed isn’t the only problem.

If you’re taking a photograph using a long lens, camera shake is much more of a problem, both because of the weight of the camera and lens and because a long lens amplifies any slight movement.

If you’re on a boat, for example, the motion of the vessel might be enough to introduce movement, and if you’re taking a picture of a fast-moving racing car, a bird in flight or a small child, it could be the subject, rather than the amount of available light,which is the issue. Increase your shutter speed or increase your ISO (e.g.: to 1,600), or use flash to freeze the action. n

Left: A tripod is useful for photographing interiors and in low-light situations.

The best reason to upgrade from a mobile phone to a proper camera is the ability to take control over your settings, allowing you to stop relying on automatic mode and start discovering semiautomatic and manual camera modes.

The best reason to upgrade from a mobile phone to a proper camera is the ability to take control over your settings, allowing you to stop relying on automatic mode and start discovering semiautomatic and camera modes.

QWhen and how should I use flash and what tips can you offer for using it?

AThere’s no doubt that flash is an unavoidable skill to master as part of improving your photography. It’s useful in the following circumstances:

When there’s not enough natural light, the use of flash generates a sufficient blast to light to avoid a dark (or completely black) image. The use of fill-in (i.e.: helping out) flash on a sunny day will alleviate shadows so even on a bright sunny day, the use of flash is beneficial. Flash can also help to freeze action and ensure you achieve a faster shutter speed, creating crisp shots especially of a subject in motion.

A blast of light directly onto your subject can often be too overbearing. It’s better to bounce flash off a surface (e.g.: a white ceiling) rather than firing it straight at your subject, which is why a proper camera with a separate, directable flash – known as an external flash, even if it’s sitting on top of the camera – is better than your camera phone or camera’s built-in, fixed flash. External flashes are also a much larger more flattering light source and their power can be controlled much more easily. n

A warm glow is cast on a building facing the sun during ‘golden hour.’

To shoot interiors like the nave of Lincoln Cathedral, or buildings at twilight, a tripod is a must. This exposure took five seconds.

like the nave of Lincoln buildings at twilight, a tripod is a must. This exposure took five seconds.

The Best Accessories

QHow do I take really good pictures of buildings and Lincolnshire’s local landmarks?

AIn the summer months, we can look forward to longer days, sunshine and lots of lovely natural light.

The colour of light is different in the morning (when there’s a slight blue tone to light) whilst in the evening the golden hour (about one hour before sunset) gives a lovely warm soft light to landscapes and buildings.

Taking pictures of landmarks during the golden hour will give a lovely colour, as long as the building or landmark in question isn’t in shadow. Do your research where possible and work out where the sun will be if you’re seeking to take a particular shot, and never shoot a building in

QHow can I take really good photographs of animals?

AFrom your cat or dog to animals at a local wildlife park, or the deer, foxes or other wildlife visiting your garden, taking good pictures of animals can be tricky.

If you’re a keen photographer of landscapes or buildings, a tripod is one of the most affordable and useful accessories you can buy. London Camera Exchange has plenty in stock!

A typical camera lens is about 24mm, a wide angle lens with more of the shot in the frame is about 18mm, but nature photography necessitates a lens of anywhere from 100mm to 600mm to ensure you can maintain a distance from an animal without disturbing it. Long lenses mean more risk of camera shake, so lenses with stabilisation are a must.

Long lenses, however, will also blur your background, resulting in a more pleasing shot and they can be used to blur the bars of enclosures at wildlife parks and zoos, focusing on an animal in the distance.

Because the movement of animals can be erratic, it’s a good idea to work quickly and take lots of shots to achieve the one perfect image. Stay quiet, persist with lots of images taking them with fast shutter speeds and above all, learn to be patient! n

shadow unless you’re trying to achieve a silhouette shot. Try not to just point your camera from a standing position. Crouching or laying down and angling the camera upwards or shooting in upright (portrait) format, and even introducing a slight angle to your shot will all help you to achieve different looks.

If there’s lots of light, using a fast shutter, a low ISO and a narrow aperture (e.g.: f16, f20) will give a sharp, crisp image. n

When photographing pets, make sure you get down to their level and persist to capture the best facial expression.

When photographing pets, make sure you get down to their level and persist to capture the best facial expression.

Above: Crouch down to introduce foreground interest into your image.

QHow can I improve my images when I photograph family and friends this summer?

AThere are two types of ‘people’ photographs: posed and candid (i.e.: taken without interfering in the action). Most of the time candid photography is down to luck: take enough photos, cross your fingers and you’ll end up with a shot of your subject looking up, smiling or laughing.

There’s something to be said, though, for taking a deliberately posed shot. Position your subject somewhere with good natural light or where a flash will flatter them. Ensure there are no distractions in the background and try to get closer to your subject – many non-professional photographers feel intimidated by the need to get close to their subject.

Instead of standing back or zooming out, crop in nice and closely to someone’s head and shoulders, or to waist level for a nice portrait shot, and try not to leave dangling hands by your subject’s side, which will leave them looking like a toy soldier. Folded arms can look a little confrontational, but if your subject can hold something, the position of their hands will often look a little neater. Try your subject standing, sitting or leaning against a tree to introduce variety in your images too.

Always look for flattering natural light, and try to vary your shots by asking your subject to look into the camera, or away from the camera and try to arrange groups so that everyone can be seen. Group shots usually look better with taller people in the centre and shorter folk on the outside, creating a nice arc. n

QWhat are the secrets of taking really good close-up images of food, flowers or objects?

AThis type of photography is known as macro or close-up photography.

Cameras tend to come with standard lenses of about 24mm whilst dedicated lenses for close-up photograpy tend to have focal lengths of 100mm and enlarge the subject, getting you much closer to insects, flowers or food and enabling you to focus at a closer distance. At such a close range, keeping the camera very still and accurate focusing are really important, so tripods, remote shutter releases and other accessories are a must.

London Camera Exchange will offer really good product recommendations and ensure that the phrase ‘it’s a small world’ has never been more apt! n

Ask your subjects to stand up and position them in natural light, using fill-in flash where necessary.

subjects to stand up and position them in natural light, flash where necessary.

QI’d love to take pictures of birds at my nature reserve, what do I need to know and what equipment might I need?

Top Technology: From London Camera Exchange

Below: Canon’s EOS R7 is not the brand’s entry level model, but at £1,449 it offers a really good range of features: 32.5Mp resolution, a sophisticated autofocus system, the ability to shoot 4K video, and five-axis in-body stabilisation for to alleviate camera shake.

ACapturing birds in flight, or whilst a wader bird is perched on a bit of marshland, or even just a garden bird enjoying its breakfast is one of the most rewarding and challenging photographic adventures you’ll embark upon.

There are many different types of zoom lens with different features, at many different price points. A 70mm-200mm is a good starter lens, whilst keen photographers should consider a brand like Sigma, whose 150mm600mm lenses range from around £850 and feature stabilisation – essential when shooting at vast focal lengths or capturing birds in motion. Fast shutter speeds are a must, and as a rule of thumb, should be twice the focal length you’re shooting at. So, for example, if you’ve zoomed right in with a 200mm lens, you should be ensure a shutter speed of at least 1/400. A monopod is a good piece of kit for bird photography, as are waterproof kit bags, and a pair of binoculars, all of which are available from London Camera Exchange. n

Left: There are less expensive tripods, but you get what you pay for, and the Leofoto Urban LX-225CT will prove to be a trusty companion for years. Ball/socket head, carbon fibre construction so it’s light and strong, £199.99

Left: A good flash is a must-have for shooting portraits and for freezing action. Canon’s new EL5 flash can bounce light off surfaces for a more subtle effect, and functions very well on automatic (ETTL) setting, but also has some quite sophisticated features like remote triggering and a modelling light for when your photographic experience increases, £499.

Left: Canon’s RF 24mm-240mm is a good allpurpose lens, with image stabilisation. 240mm maximum zoom for telephoto photography. Suitable for all of the company’s mirrorless models, £909.

Above: One of the most undervalued purchases for a photographer is a good quality bag! We love the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 4 V2.0 Pinestone as it’s small enough to be light and easy to carry around, but capacious enough to hold a camera and 2/3 lenses/flashes, and it has a padded shoulder strap for comfort plus a rain cover, £100.

Find Out More: London Camera Exchange on Silver Street, Lincoln LN2 1DY provides Canon, Nikon, Sony and OM-System cameras and accessories. Advice is free and friendly, for either novice photographers or photo professionals. The retailer also sells new and pre-loved gear including tripods, telescopes and binoculars. Call 01522 514131, see www.lcegroup.co.uk. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9am-5pm. n

Above: Use a long lens to get close to the action and blur the background of your image.

STAY AWHILE in STAMFORD

the

businesses...

is celebrated for its architecture,

Image: Aerial shot of Stamford from The Meadows.

It’s

Georgian market town which

history and independent

this month we’re invited to ‘stay awhile in Stamford...’

>> Life goes on. Nowhere more so than in Stamford, whose recorded history goes back over 1,000 years. Originally an Anglo-Saxon settlement, Stamford grew into a respectable coaching inn town on the Roman Great North Road, which passed through the town until the 1960s when it was bypassed.

In the 1200s it was one of the 10 largest towns in Britain and commensurate with its importance it had a castle, 14 churches, two monasteries and four friaries, not to mention an important part in the wool trade.

Fast forward to 1555 and Queen Elizabeth I’s Lord High Treasurer Sir William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley created his prodigy house with its 18 state rooms, 35 major rooms and 80 lesser rooms, plus its Antonio Verrio frescos and 10,000 acres of parkland. The latter is home to one of the world’s top eventing fixtures, now renamed the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. The Trials came to the Burghley estate from Harewood in 1961 and today about 350 horses compete across 500 acres of parkland including 20 acres where a central ‘village’ is created to accommodate about 170,000 visitors. Elsewhere, Burghley House’s beautiful parkland is popular with locals who want to stretch their legs and more recently, younger visitors have been trying out the new adventure playpark where they meet Cecil the Mole and run off some of that energy we wish we all still had.

In the C18th the gates into the town were removed, and much of Stamford’s stone architecture was created, giving it a Georgian legacy which was protected in 1967 when it became Britain’s first conservation town.

Around the same time Sir John Betjeman declared Stamford ‘England’s most attractive town’ and still today it’s a frequent flyer in The Sunday Times’ list of the best places to live in England, being named the best place to live in the Midlands in 2021 and the best place to live in Britain overall in 2013. >>

“In the C18th much of Stamford’s stone architecture was created, giving it a Georgian legacy protected in 1967 when it became Britain’s first conservation town...”

The Hell Staircase, Burghley House.

Stamford is renowned for its wealth of independent businesses.

Leafy and lovely: The Meadows.

>> On point of fact, it’s today home to 600 buildings with Grade II or II* listings (half the total number in Lincolnshire). There are also eight ancient monuments in or around the town and 14 original churches of which five are medieval.

All Saints Church dates back to the Saxon period and features late medieval timbers and 13th century arcading, as well as a 15th century font, whilst St John’s was founded in the 12th century and rebuild in 1451.

St Martin’s and St Mary’s Church churches date back from 1485 and 1220 respectively, and St George’s Church was created in the early 13th century.

Other historic landmarks include Browne’s Hospital which now serves as an almshouse but was originally a hospital created by wool merchant William Browne in 1475, whilst St Leonard’s Priory was founded by St Wilfred in 658, refounded by William the Conqueror and remained attached to the Diocese of Durham until it dissolution in 1538.

The town is also home to a contemporary interpretation of England’s 12 Eleanor Crosses, built to honour Eleanor of Castile who died in Harby, Nottinghamshire in 1290. The beloved wife of Edward I’s funeral procession stopped at 12 different locations from Lincoln to what is now Charing Cross and is honoured by the monuments along the way.

Stamford’s cross was created in 2009 after the original was removed… indeed, fragments of it were found in the garden of noted antiquarian William Stukeley.

Speaking of famous people, the town has been home to Morse creator Colin Dexter, to Egyptologist and photographer Harry Burton who helped excavate Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, and to David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter who took part in the 1924, 1928 & 1932 Olympics, and upon whom the film Chariots of Fire was (loosely) based.

In the early days of motoring, Stamford’s John (Jack) Henry Pick created vehicles from his 1901 4hp model to his 1923 22.5hp sports car. >>

Left: High St, St Martins, Stamford. Above: Burghley House’s Summer Fine Food Market takes place from 26th - 28th August with a host of artisan stalls and street food vendors from across the region and beyond.

“The town has been home to Morse creator Colin Dexter, and to Egyptologist Harry Burton who helped excavate Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922!”

>> The garage in which production took place is now home to the Stamford Antiques Centre.

Stamford is also home to around 21,000 people (according to the 2021 census) and is popular with commuters who want to live just an hour or so from London, with good rail and road links ensuring that after a week working in the city, residents can come home to the town and enjoy its independent restaurants and bars.

There’s plenty to do in the town beyond eating and drinking, though, with Stamford Arts Centre managed by SKDC and a sister venue of Grantham’s Guildhall Arts Centre enabling the place to attract some pretty decent acts, as does Stamford Corn Exchange, an independent theatre managed in trust.

This month, Burghley House will welcome back JSL Productions who host an annual Battle Proms concert in the grounds. Its live music programme is fantastic, and there’s a host of entertainment besides its core offering from a cavalry display, parachutes, a Spitfire flyover and its firework finale.

Speaking of culture Tolethorpe Hall, just a couple of miles from the town centre, is home to the Stamford Shakespeare Company, which performs three plays each year (four, including the youth theatre’s own performance), usually including one of more contemporary performances such as Wind in the Willows or Dad’s Army.

Performances are really impressive in terms of their production values, and a visit each year with a picnic in the boot of your car is highly recommended.

It's worth keeping an eye on our What’s On pages, too, for live events and activities on The Meadows – the green space in the centre of the town. Designated as common land by the Enclosure Act of 1871, which hosts everything from classic car events to food-themed events and gardening shows throughout the summer months... just one of many activities to enjoy in a town whose sign on London Road says it all, inviting visitors to Stamford to ‘stay awhile amid its ancient charm.’ n

Tolethorpe Hall, just a couple of miles from the town centre, is home to the Stamford Shakespeare Company, whose performances are really impressive...

What’s On...

LINCOLN

FRIDAY 14th JULY -

SUNDAY 16th JULY

LINCOLN JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz takes centre stage in Lincoln Cathedral this month as the landmark plays host to a weekend festival. The weekend opens with Clare Teal and continues with guitarist Martin Taylor, saxophonists Tim Garland and Paul Booth, pianists Jason Rebello and Alex Wilson plus the festival’s Artistic Director, trombonist Dennis Rollins.

Brought to the city by Lincoln Jazz, in partnership with Lincoln Cathedral, with support from East Midlands Jazz, Lincoln BIG and The John Dawber Trust.

n For a full programme including times and prices for session/weekend, see www.lincolncathedral.com.

Flower & Garden Show...

BELVOIR CASTLE HOSTS ITS FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW WITH SHOW GARDENS GALORE, ORGANISED BY HALCYON EVENTS

GRANTHAM

SATURDAY 15th JULY

- SUNDAY 16th JULY

BELVOIR CASTLE FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

A weekend for garden lovers with appearances in the event’s talks marquee by TV’s David Domoney, and floral demonstrations by Jonathan Moseley, along with an expert talks panel. Show borders, floral exhibits, nurseries, sculpture artists, garden tools, garden furniture, live music and more. New for 2023 is a cookery demonstration area.

n Tickets £12.50/adv Sat/Sun see belvoircastleflowerandgardenshow.co.uk.

WINTERTON

SATURDAY 1st JULY

- SUNDAY 2nd JULY

WINTERTON SHOW

Main ring entertainment from British Show Jumping on Saturday to Pony Club Event on Sunday, plus live music, displays of vintage tractors and engines, classic cars, cattle, sheep and the Imps Motorcycle Stunt Team.

n Winterton DN15 9UG, call 01724 733257 or see www.wintertonshow.co.uk.

SPILSBY

SUNDAY 9th JULY

SPILSBY SHOW

Heavy horses and the Fun Dog Show in the main ring plus crafts and models, trade stands and vintage exhibits, plus lots more.

n Spilsby PE23 5HL. Tickets £7/adults, £3/junior, www.spilsbyshow.co.uk.

HECKINGTON

SATURDAY 29th -

SUNDAY 30th JULY

HECKINGTON SHOW

Founded in 1863 as part of Heckington’s 1,000 year old Feast Week tradition, the Heckington Show is the largest village show in the UK and features the oldest cycle race in the world. Attractions include shire horses, aerial wheel and acrobatic displays plus quad bikes in the main ring, as well as Saturday evening’s firework concert this year featuring 90s Spice.

n Online e-tickets £20/adults, £6/junior online advance, www.heckingtonshow.org.uk.

WOODHALL SPA

SATURDAY 8th -

SUNDAY 9thJULY

WOODHALL SPA

1940s FESTIVAL

Stand to attention this month and lindyhop your way to Woodhall Spa for the return of the village’s 1940s Festival.

Last year over 55,000 people attended the event, which is free to visitors and attracts performers of vintage music living history groups,

those with vintage vehicles and a festival market.

Prizes are available for the Best Living History Group and Military Vehicle, as well as the best dressed window or staff members for local businesses.

Drop-in dance classes and concerts plus a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast during the event.

n View the full programme online, www.woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com

The Battle Proms 2023

THE PARKLAND OF BURGHLEY HOUSE MAKES A SPECTACULAR BACKDROP FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC

SPALDING

FRIDAY 7th JULY 80s LIVE

The ultimate 80s night out including Wham, Culture Club, Rick Astley, Madonna, Duran Duran, Soft Cell, The Human League, A-Ha, Tears for Fears and more!

n South Holland Centre, Spalding, PE11 1SS, tickets £29, call 01775 764777 or see www.southhollandcentre.co.uk.

SKEGNESS

FRIDAY 14th JULY

ANTON & GIOVANNI

HIM & ME LIVE

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke and 2021 champion Giovanni Pernice join forces for their spectacular tour.

n Embassy Theatre, Skegness, PE25 2UG from 7.30pm, call 01754 474100 or see www.embassytheatre.co.uk.

STAMFORD

SATURDAY 8th JULY

THE BATTLE PROMS

PICNIC CONCERT AT BURGHLEY HOUSE

It’s back with a bang, and a flash and a crackle. Few evenings provide as much fun as The Battle Proms, organised by JSL Events and hosted by Burghley House. At the heart of the event is a musical programme presented by the BBC’s Pam Rhodes and performed by the New English Concert Orchestra under the baton of Douglas Coombes. All of your favourite prom events are

Send your press releases and events to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

REVESBY

SUNDAY 6th AUGUST

REVESBY COUNTRY FAIR

A day packed full of entertainment, events and country pursuits. There’s something for everyone at Revesby Country Fair! This much-loved country show will include its best-ever lineup of entertainment, activities and country pursuits, including traditional equine favourites such as show jumping and shire horses. Visitors can try their hand at archery, clay pigeon shooting, flower arranging, simulated rock climbing and much more, and there’s the return of the Race the Estate event too.

n Tickets £15/adult, £5/junior, £35/family. Call 01522 581611 or see www.revesbycountryfair.co.uk.

present and correct, from the Sailor’s Hornpipe to Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. Before the classical programme The Battle Prom Belles present an Andrews Sisters-style warmup, and there’s an exciting cavalry display with evening gun salute. The Red Devils parachute display team will drop in, and there’s a Spitfire Air Display too. Take along a picnic or pick one up at the event, and of course enjoy a spectacular firework finale!

n Gates 4.30pm, concert from 8pm tickets £55/adult, call 01432 355 416 or see www.battleproms.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

KENWICK PARK COMEDY CLUB

Saturday 10th June

Four talented comedians from Mansfords Comedy Club will have you in stitches.

£20.00 per person

DIRTY DANCING MEETS GREASE

Saturday 29th July

With all the favourite classics from both shows with a two course meal and DJ. Get ready to have the time of your life!

£42.50 per person

GEORGE EZRA TRIBUTE NIGHT

Saturday 19th August

Listen to George Ezra’s greatest hits including ‘Shotgun’ “Green Green Grass’, Budapest’ and many more. With a two course meal and DJ.

£42.50 per person

JACKSON SOUL

Saturday 23rd September

Motown Nights with Jackson Soul performing the biggest hits from the Motown era. Jackson Soul brings both authenticity and class to every performance. With a two course meal, band and DJ.

£45.00 per person

ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Saturday 21st October

A cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is adored by us all! With a two course meal and DJ. Dammit Janet!

£45.00 per person

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS

Get your dancing spirit on and join us as Kenwick once again hosts four glamorous party nights across December! This is one celebration you don’t want to miss!

Book online or call our reception team on 01507 608806 or email reservations@kenwick-park.co.uk

KENWICK PARK, LOUTH, LINCS LN11 8NR 01507 608806

Woodhall Spa’s 1940sFestival

They said ‘we’ll meet again’ and so we shall, in Woodhall Spa on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th July!

WOODHALL SPA’S 1940s Festival returned in 2022 for the first time since the event was interrupted by Covid. This annual event transports visitors to an era of wartime spirit, retro music, and timeless fashion. With its immersive atmosphere and dedication to historical accuracy, the Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival has become a beloved celebration of nostalgia and an opportunity to honor the sacrifices and resilience of the people during World War II. After a debate about the sensitivity of holding the festival given the outbreak of war in Ukraine, organisers decided that the festival should go ahead but that it could raise money for civilians caught up in the conflict.

As you wander through the streets of Woodhall Spa during the festival, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vintage military vehicles, soldiers in uniform, and civilians dressed in period attire.

The attention to detail is truly remarkable, as even the shop fronts and houses are adorned with 1940s decorations. The festival organisers and local residents go to great lengths to create an authentic atmosphere, allowing attendees to fully immerse themselves in the nostalgia of the era. Visitors can enjoy performances by talented swing bands, vocalists, and dance troupes, all showcasing the iconic music and dance styles of the 1940s. The spirited melodies of Glenn Miller, Vera Lynn, and other renowned artists reverberate through the village, transporting attendees to a bygone era. History comes alive at the festival too, through a variety of reenactments and displays.

Ukraine Support Fund

The Woodhall Spa 1940s festival’s organisers have set up a Support Fund to help refugees who are living in the Woodhall Spa community to escape the war in their country.

The festival is a haven for vintage enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike. A bustling vintage market offers a treasure trove of authentic clothing, accessories, and memorabilia from the era.

Last year over 55,000 people attended the event, which is free to visitors and attracts performers of vintage music. living history groups, those with vintage vehicles and a festival market. Prizes are available for the Best Living History Group and Military Vehicle, as well as the best dressed window, and the whole weekend, as ever, is free of charge and is designed to benefit Ukraine. n

Find Out More: The Woodhall Spa 1940s Weekend takes place from Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July, free and taking place across Woodhall Spa, for more information see www.woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com. The website also has details of the Ukraine Support Fund which has a £5,000 Grant Fund for Ukrainian refugees who are living in the Woodhall Spa community to escape the war in their country.

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TEACHING an OLD RESTAURANT SOME NEW TRICKS

The Old Bakery, Lincoln

A dining room with a great reputation in the city of Lincoln, The Old Bakery is now under the ownership of Lincoln College and under General Manager Chris Wilson and Head Chef Barry Dunn, it will be run to nurture the next generation of chefs... Words & Images: Rob Davis.

FROM RISING LOAVES to rising stars. Lincoln’s Old Bakery had a great reputation in the city under its previous custodians, and now it’s going to play a part in helping youngsters to enter the restaurant profession too, under its new custodians, Lincoln College.

General Manager Chris Wilson is originally from Sheffield, but came to Lincoln to study at the city’s university and ended up falling in love with the place. Not only did he find an affinity for the city itself, he discovered how rewarding it is to work in hospitality, and managed one of Lincoln’s most popular restaurants for nearly five years until a new opportunity beckoned last autumn.

The Old Bakery opened in 2004 with Alan and Lynn Ritson, their daughter Tracey and her Puglian husband Ivano de Serio creating a restaurant which soon enjoyed a formidable reputation for Mediterranean-influenced fine-dining cuisine in the city.

Upon Tracey and Ivano’s retirement, Lincoln College purchased the premises in October 2022 with a view to running it as a restaurant that would also provide its students with real-world experience of the profession.

Already the College runs Sessions Restaurant, recently renovated to the tune of £1.1m and offering pop-up restaurant sessions at live entertainment venue the Drill, which the college also acquired in 2021.

However, these offer only limited opportunities to the public to experience the students’ cooking, and so The Old Bakery will open for diners from Thursday to Sunday for both lunchtime and evening service. It will also continue to offer boutique B&B accommodation with three en-suite rooms,

which will also be looked after by the students under Chris’s management.

“The idea is to create a ‘finishing school’ for students,” says Chris. “Providing education to students is already proving to be really rewarding, but first and foremost we’re a restaurant which aims to provide real-world training in a real-world environment, so there are no compromises or concessions to the fact that we’re working with students. We’re aiming to ensure The Old Bakery continues to enjoy its reputation as one of the best dining rooms in the city.” >>

MEET THE CHEF

BARRY DUNN

Barry Dunn is originally from Newark and has been in the profession since the age of 17. Moving from Leeds to Lincoln via Stratford upon Avon, he worked at The Tower before joining The Old Bakery under Ivano back in 2014. n

The old bread oven.

on the MENU

Starters

Bakery fried chicken, BBQ borlotti beans, adobo, sauerkraut, £10.95.

Goats cheese, parsnip and rhubarb salad, gingerbread cracker, black treacle, £10.50.

Grilled asparagus, butter bean and ginger salad, roast almond yoghurt, mushroom and soy vinegar, £10.95.

Main Courses

Lamb rump and braised shoulder, butter roast potato, mushroom and tomato, miso sauce, £25.95.

Beef short rib, parsley mash, roast parsnip and leeks, £24.95.

Mushroom and barley stuffing with mushroom consommé, pickled mushroom, smoked ‘cheddar’ and sage polenta £19.50.

Star anise poached salmon, with pickled apple, carrot, spring onion, caper sauce, £22.95.

Onion and Cheddar tart with pickled green lentils, crispy potato skins, cucumber, £19.95.

Desserts

Rhubarb and almond cake with poached rhubarb, and vegan créme chantilly, £8.95.

Dark chocolate delice with cereal treat, passion fruit curd, cafe bonbon and toasted coconut, £8.95.

“Happily, The Old Bakery’s catering students are in the right county to begin their careers, as Lincolnshire is blessed with many really good suppliers, essential for creating great dishes...”

>> Since acquiring the restaurant, Lincoln College has invested in a full refit of the kitchen and freshened up the conservatory, snug, chef’s table and front room, across which the restaurant’s 55 covers are spread. One aspect of The Old Bakery that hasn’t changed, though, is the presence of Head Chef Barry Dawson, who enjoyed working with Ivano and is equally motivated by the prospect of working with students to pass on his knowledge and encourage them to contribute their ideas to the menus.

Daytime service provides the choice of a set menu with three options per course for £24/head, which we consider very reasonable for a three-course lunch.

During both lunchtime and evening service, there’s an à la carte menu, too, with a choice

of five dishes per course and in the evening, you can also pre-book a 7-course tasting menu.

Happily, hospitality and catering students are in the right county to begin their career because if we know just two things about the industry, it’s the importance of really good ingredients, and that Lincolnshire is blessed with a wealth of really good suppliers.

Fresh from the Fields is the Lincoln-based greengrocers supplying local fruit and veg where possible and quality fresh produce otherwise. CJ Butchers on the city’s Farrier Road provides fresh meat, and Grimsby’s Moorcroft provides daily deliveries of fresh fish via the town’s fish docks.

The restaurant has also partnered with Strait & Narrow which has curated a wine list with bottles from a reasonable £23 top-

Mushroom and barley with mushroom consommé, £19.50.

Bakery fried chicken, £10.95.

Cheese Board.

NB: This is a sample menu, and featured dishes are subject to availability and change.

ping out at about £65 for a high-end Montagny or Pomerol.

Desserts, sauces and bread are all produced in-house, as are the amuse bouche served prior to à la carte dining. The restaurant is awaiting the arrival of flashy new ice cream and sorbet maker which will also allow them to produce those in the kitchen too.

Our first starter of Bakery Fried Chicken was generous in proportion – sufficient as a main course, we reckon – nicely seasoned and served on a bed of borlotti beans.

Next up was Goat’s Cheese and as Barry enjoys playing around with flavours, he’s opted to accompany it with a homemade gingerbread cracker and black treacle, with a parsnip and rhubarb salad. Unconventional perhaps, but a canny pairing of flavours!

Our main course of beef short rib was slowcooked for about six hours and it showed in terms of tenderness, with a very thick, rich and unctuous jus.

Naturally a new generation of chefs need to demonstrate that they’re adroit with dietary requirements, and our second main course was a Barley Stuffed Mushroom served with a mushroom consommé which was flavoursome and sufficiently rich to satisfy any vegetarian.

Our dessert of Rhubarb and Almond Cake was also gluten-free, with a vegan ‘créme Chantilly’ and poached rhubarb.

If the next generation of chefs are learning their kitchen skills from Barry and their approach to front of house service from Chris, they won’t go far wrong! n

DINING OUT AT... The Old Bakery, Burton Road, Lincoln

The Pitch: “An award-winning eatery and guest house. Passionate, talented chef Barry Dawson uses the freshest locally sourced ingredients to create truly inventive modern European cuisine.”

Dining Times: Lunch service Thursday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm. Dinner service Thursday to Saturday, 6pm to 9pm. n

The Old Bakery, 26/28 Burton Road, Lincoln LN1 3LB. Call 07931 885055 or see www.theold-bakery.co.uk.

Rhubarb and almond cake with poached rhubarb, and vegan créme chantilly, £8.95.

Six Reasons to Rediscover KENWICK PARK

It’s all too easy to overlook what’s on your doorstep! Here we offer a reminder of the many reasons to visit Louth’s Kenwick Park. The Georgian country estate set in 320 acres isn’t just for residents to enjoy: Lincolnshire folk can take advantage of its many facilities too!

A SUMMER MORNING, fresh and bright with blue skies and with flowers all around us, punctuating the season with colour. We arrive at Louth’s Kenwick Park to remind ourselves what’s on offer at one of the county’s largest, prettiest and most established country estates. Like many, we thought we knew the place, but a return visit was a good reminder of just how much there is for locals – never mind visitors to the area – to enjoy on the Georgian country estate. >>

1

Dining & Hotel Accommodation

QUALITY AT THE HEART of KENWICK PARK...

KENWICK PARK was converted from a country residence to a hotel in 1992, a Georgian-fronted property which is deceptively spacious and has been extended through two subsequent phases, to provide its current 51 bedrooms.

A recent £1.15m investment in its accommodation has ensured that despite its established grounds and ancient woodland, the hotel’s offering of accommodation is thoroughly modern, with Queen-sized beds and walk-in showers.

Residents and non-residents alike are welcome at Keeper’s Bar –with its selection of artisan gins, cocktails and real ale – and in the Fairways Restaurant, too. A new menu includes grill options from a house burger to a Tomahawk steak for two to share, plus hand-stretched artisan pizzas, salads and seasonal main courses. n

2

Self-Catering Woodland Lodges

KENWICK PARK’S HIDDEN RETREATS, FOR A RELAXING GETAWAY

KENWICK PARK’S lodge-style retreats are a great way to get together with friends or family, and they’ve proven popular both in the summer season but also in the autumn and winter months too with cosy accommodation and hot tubs, plus the proximity of Kenwick Park’s Club Spa making an out of season get-together a tempting prospect.

Locals as well as those from out of the area enjoy staying in one of Kenwick’s 130 lodges, which can accommodate two to eight people, with en suite bathrooms and twin rooms too, for youngsters. Many have hot tubs and private balconies with outdoor furniture. With Woodland Escape retreats from as little as £75/person, the site is ideal for an ad hoc short break.

Whilst on site, you can enjoy woodland walks, take advantage of cycle hire, book into the spa, or simply enjoy the tranquillity of the setting and watch the squirrels scampering about as you have a drink with friends. All lodges have fresh linen and towels, and feature a fully-equipped kitchen with oven, grill, hob and microwave as well as dishwasher plus all of the crockery and equipment you need. Of course, the proximity of Kenwick Park’s Keepers Bar and Fairways restaurant – plus the town of Louth with its bars and restaurants just a five minute drive away –both mean that if you’d prefer to set aside your wooden spoon and let someone else do the cooking, you can just put your feet up with a glass of wine instead! n

A BRIEF HISTORY OF KENWICK PARK

1797: Late Georgian country house built for Hunman Allenby.

1925: The house passes from Thomas Garfit to the Dixon family and is used as a WWI home guard training base.

1944: Kenwick Hall is bombed in a night-time raid and badly damaged, rebuilt from 1960.

1980: Local farmer Paul Tointon purchases the property.

1988: With the creation of the Louth bypass, four businessman purchase the estate with plans to create a £10 m leisure development.

1992: Stuart Flynn opens the hotel with 24 bedrooms.

1994: The leisure facilities – gym and spa – open adjacent to the hotel.

1996: The first Scandinavian-style lodges are created within the woodland and overlooking the golf course.

2000: A bedroom extension increases the number of rooms from 24 to 34 in the main house.

2003: The Meridian Suite is created for hosting weddings and conferences. Kenwick Park soon becomes one of Lincolnshire’s favourite wedding venues.

2014: A fire in the leisure club destroys the facility. It’s rebuilt and reopens in 2016 with a 20-metre pool, thermal sauna suite, 10 treatment rooms and stateof-the-art gym with fitness studio.

2018: Coppergreen Development acquires Kenwick Park, adding a 17-bedroom extension, taking the total number of rooms to 51.

January 2022: Away Resorts acquire the site and have exciting plans for the estate’s future. The company has 23 individual sites across Britain including Tattershall Lakes, Cleethorpes Pearl and Appletree at Hubbert’s Bridge near Boston. n

3 Club Spa MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE just how important exercise and fitness is to our overall sense of health and wellbeing. Happily, Kenwick Park’s facilities are as popular with locals as those from further afield who are staying at the hotel.

That’s why Kenwick Park has a dedicated local membership tariff which aims to look after local customers as well as visitors to the area. Annual memberships are available from £680 with options for joint, junior, young adult and family memberships too.

Open 365 days a year, a membership to Kenwick Park’s leisure club and its Club Spa includes access to over 45 instructor-led exercise classes every week; use of the state-of-the-art air-conditioned Technogym; a dedicated indoor cycling room with a Pelaton-style multimedia platform and tennis courts.

The Club Spa features a 20m luxury indoor swimming pool with both indoor and outdoor spa pools, plus its thermal spa suite incorporating six temperature experiences.

Golf Breaks at Kenwick Park

Adjacent to Kenwick Park is the privately-owned Kenwick Park Golf Club with its championshipstandard 18-hole course. Its clubhouse is located in the Grade II listed former stableblock.

Finally, a range of Elemis-powered spa treatments are available, and the club has its own coffee shop and lounge areas plus extensive relaxation areas. n

4 Evergreen Spa: A luxury thermal day spa CREATED IN 2016 FOR RESIDENTS & LOCAL RESIDENTS TOO

FOR UNPRECEDENTED RELAXATION, a visit to Kenwick Park’s Evergreen Spa is a way to get away without going too far. Within Club Spa, with its 20m pool and temperature experiences, Evergreen Spa also has six treatment rooms including a double treatment room, for two friends or for a his ‘n’ hers spa experience. Spa treatments are powered by leading professional spa brand Elemis, as well as OPI for manicure and pedicure treatments, plus Natural Spa Factory for invigorating and entirely natural treatments.

Manicures and pedicures range from £30, with taster facials from £35 and massage from £36. The treatment menu details six Elemis facials and six body treatments, plus massage and alternative therapies as well as

a range of specialised treatments for menu or for those undergoing cancer treatment. A range of waxing and tinting treatments are also available, as is a range of spa-quality products to take home.

Spa breaks range from a spectacularly good value Mid-Week Spa Package with afternoon tea, overnight accommodation, use of the pool and leisure facilities as well as a choice of four 25-minute taster treatments, all for just £129 Sunday to Thursday.

A Classic Overnight Stay includes overnight accommodation, afternoon tea, breakfast, dinner allowance in the Fairways restaurant plus the use of the spa and gym and a choice of five 50-minute treatments for just £169 from Sunday-Friday and £179/Saturday. n

5 Weddings

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

KENWICK PARK’S Meridian Suite is ideal for hosting weddings for up to 150 guests. The Outdoor Pavilion is situated on the front lawn, overlooking the golf course, the Pavilion houses the ceremony, registrars and bride and groom with the rest of the guests seated on the patio area. Meanwhile the hotel’s private dining room with its Georgian style and soaring ceilings can also accommodate private functions for up to 20 guests with bespoke menus available just for your celebration.

Kenwick Park has a team of wedding co-ordinators with over 20 years experience, and the hotel is also an ideal space to host business functions or meeting. n

6 Special Events

LIVE EVENTS at KENWICK

KENWICK PARK is hosting a series of live events and special offers all summer long, starting on Fathers Day, where dad can enjoy a complimentary drink and a three course meal for £29.95.

Kenwick Park’s Comedy Club resumes on Saturday 10th June from 8pm with no fewer than four talented comedians. On Saturday 29th July, Dirty Dancing Meets Grease includes a two-course supper for £42.50/ticket, and finally on Saturday 19th August, don’t miss George Ezra and His Band, a tribute to the eponymous singer/songwriter, tickets £42.50. n

In the KITCHEN

A fancy name for a fiendishly simple pudding that makes the most of the apples from your garden! This delicious open-faced pie can be baked on the barbecue and should be served with very good ice cream!

BARBECUE APPLE GALETTE with FLAKED ALMONDS

Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 25 minutes. Serves: Four to six people. One pack of shortcrust pastry, e.g.: Jus-Rol • 3-4 eating apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • Pinch cinnamon and/or nutmeg optional/to taste • 40g apricot jam or preserve • 1 tablespoon water

• Vanilla ice cream or clotted cream • Flaked almonds to decorate

Life’s too short to make pastry, so go easy on yourself and use ready-rolled shortcrust pastry, removing from the fridge just before use. Slice the apples (we’d recommend varieties like Braeburn or Cox) into uniform slices, then toss them in the brown sugar and cinnamon/nutmeg if you’re using either of these.

Fold out the chilled dough to about two centimetres thick and to about 20cm in diameter, transferring onto parchment paper, then arrange the slices of apple in the centre, overlapping slightly and leaving about 5cm of the perimeter. Make cuts into the edge of the dough to allow you to fold over the edges, overlapping slightly for a pleated appearance. Head the apricot jam/preserve with a tablespoon or two of water and brush over the apples and exposed dough. Sprinkle over flaked almonds. Either bake for 20-25 minutes in the oven at 200°c/gas six,or on a baking tray in a warm barbecue with the lid down, ensuring the parchment doesn’t come into contact with flames. Serve with good quality ice cream or clotted cream. n

Premium aperitifs without the alcohol, from Everleaf...

A trio of premium gin-style aperitifs ideal for designated drivers or if you want the flavour without the drowsiness!

Living in a rural county means that inevitably, it’s sometimes necessary to drive, rather than enjoy a glass of wine or a G&T. That doesn’t mean you should be stuck with bland tonic water or sugary cola, though. Everleaf is a trio of three gin-style ‘spirits’ with no alcohol, but lots of flavour. Cherry blossom/rosehip, orange/vanilla, bergamot/kelp. n £20 / 50cl / 0% ABV, www.everleaf drinks.com

The Wine Cellar

WINE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, PLUS ENGLISH FIZZ AND SOMETHING TO HELP YOU KEEP A CLEAR HEAD, TOO...!

RED, WHITE & BLUE: Great British wines for English Wine Week, from 17th June...

From Mayfield Vineyard near Sleaford. Tawny Owl is a blend of Bolero and Regent grapes, it’s soft, ruby red and easy drinking, ideal with BBQ meats, £19 / 75cl, 11.5% ABV, from www.mayfieldwine.co.uk.

Tim & Zoe Beaver from The Rutland Vineyard near Ketton present their excellent flagship English sparkling Blanc de Blancs for your consideration. Available at the vineyard which hosts tours and tasting events this month, see www.therutlandvineyard.com.

Wine of the Month

Bloomsbury NV English Sparkling Wine

£34 / 75cl / 12% ABV

The official English sparkling wine served for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, this vibrant wine is light gold in colour with a fine mousse and has a tasting profile of pear, citrus and honey. Pairs beautifully with fresh seafood like smoked salmon and trout.

Established in 1995, the vineyard offers a total of four signature sparkling wines: Bloomsbury, Cavendish, Fitzrovia and Blanc de Blancs.

n Purchase by bottle or case (£183.60/six) at www.ridgeview.co.uk.

An English Rose for High Summer

Unashamedly delicious is how Gusbourne describe their still English rosé with its flavours of strawberries and citrus. Designed to put you in mind of an English country garden in high summer, its a blend of the traditional Champagne grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Crisp and fresh with blossom and ginger on the finish. Delicious and highly recommended. Accompany with salads and seafood, or with strawberries and cream! n £25 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV, www.gusbourne.com

Originating from Adgestone Vineyard on the Isle of Wight, the way the eccentric blue colour is extracted from black grape skins is a secret! £39 / 75cl / 12.5% 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.

THIS MONTH WE SUGGEST A RED, A WHITE AND... ERM... A BLUE ENGLISH

TOWN and COUNTRY

This month’s property on Louth’s Westgate is a property of contradictions: It’s a town house, in the country. It’s a traditional property, tastefully modernised. Most of all though, it’s spacious, graceful and enjoys a wonderful location!

Words: Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

6-8 Westgate in Louth

Location: Westgate, Louth, within one mile of town centre.

Provenance: Grade II listed Georgian property with later Victorian additions comprehensively restored from 2017 to 2019.

Rooms: Four receptions, currently arranged drawing room, sitting room, dining room and study.

Five bedroom with two en suites and two further bathrooms and dressing room to principal suite.

Guide Price: £1,250,000.

Find Out More: Savills, Lincoln, 01522 508908, www.savills.com.

THIS MONTH’S property is definitely one of many contradictions. It’s a country house with the graceful Georgian appearance you’d expect from an old rectory in a quaint village... except, it’s not located in a village, but rather in the heart of Louth, less than a mile from the town centre.

And despite its grace, a comprehensive refurbishment from 2017 to 2019 means that it can boast new wiring, new plumbing, a new roof, new or fully refurbished sash windows and a new boiler. In other words, all of the nice features are present and correct, but all of the nasty jobs for the future have already been taken care of.

Westgate, then, is the country house in the town, and an old-new property, currently looking for new custodians as its current owners plan a move closer to their family.

The property was built in 1760 and extended in the Victorian era a century later. It was given a Grade II listing in the 1970s and that means its renovation has been overseen by listed building officers who worked with the owners and with principal contractors,

Top/Main: The property has four reception rooms and was built in 1760.

Rodden & Cooper, who have worked meticulously to ensure heritage processes and materials have been used throughout its refurbishment.

An example of this is the lime plaster with goat hair used on the property’s walls and a number of the sash hardwood windows which were restored with the original glass retained where possible.

Arranged over two storeys, the property’s large entrance hall has arched doorways and a beautiful feature staircase. The hallway leads to four reception rooms including the 26ft sitting room with its bay window overlooking the rear garden, and two northfacing reception rooms currently arranged as a morning room and a study. The reception rooms have original marble fireplaces and there are two wood-burning stoves plus three gas fires for the cooler months.

The kitchen was replaced as part of the refurbishment and has been designed and installed by Lincoln-based Chiselwood, whose owners, Martin & Mel Holliday reached the world finals of the Sub Zero & World Kitchen Design Contest in 2017.

With in-frame shaker-style units crafted in hand-painted solid wood and with black granite work surfaces, the kitchen features appliances by Miele including an integrated steam oven and coffee machine, plus a Falcon range and boiling water tap.

The property also benefits from a pantry and for wine connoisseurs there are large cellars below ground level with temperature and humidity controls to keep your collection in optimum condition.

On the first floor there are five bedrooms including a principal suite with en suite and dressing room. >>

>> There’s a guest suite with en suite plus three further bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a laundry room sensibly located on the first floor to prevent trailing around the house with baskets full of laundry. In total the property has over 4,500sq ft of living space, not to mention the soaring ceilings and architectural details you’d expect from a property of Georgian provenance.

Outside, too, there’s plenty of space, with the split-level grounds divided up into three levels. The first is a large lawned area, whilst the second is an ornamental garden with box hedging, colourful flowerbeds and a variety of mature shrubs and trees. A third area of the garden comprises a vegetable plot and extends down to the River Lud.

“Rodden & Cooper were great to work with,” say the current owners. “The amount of detail we’ve invested in its refurbishment has resulted in a family property that’s graceful, large and practical for families but also has a really mature cosy feel to it as well.”

“It’s located right in the heart of the town which makes it a practical location in which to live but allows it to retain the look and feel of a place in the country. Louth is a really lovely town to live in, and we’ll miss the place greatly, it’s been a lovely home!” n

n Heydour House

Guide Price: £1,775,000

Heydour House is Grade II Listed and dates from 1857. Arranged over 3.4 acres, it features 10 bedrooms and five reception rooms currently arranged as a drawing room, sitting room, conservatory, dining room and family room

www.struttandparker.com

n Cedar House, near Boston

Guide Price: £2,250,000

A superb family residence offering eight bedrooms and excellent entertaining facilities including 50ft kitchen/living area. Other features of the property include a heated indoor swimming pool with gymnasium.

www.poyntons.com

n Cressy Hall, Gosberton

Guide Price: £1,250,000

A beautiful listed Georgian Hall, Grade II* listed and dating back to 1794, in a fabulous rural setting, within 8.9 acres, with seven bedrooms and offering 6,300sq ft of accommodation. Extensive cellars, three main reception rooms plus studio and barn. www.savills.co.uk

GRIMEBUSTERS

Methodical, Meticulous & Magnificent

THEY RECKON that if you want something doing, ask a busy person. The trouble is, everyone today is busy!

Since the advent of feminism in the post-war era, the generation of women who had kept the wheels of industry turning as their menfolk were away fighting were no longer content to return to a life of domesticity, instead realising that they could have fulfilling careers and contribute much to Britain’s economy and its work culture.

From the second half of the 20th century and into the 2000s, there was a cultural shift towards both husband and wife working full time and – one would like to think – a more even distribution of the domestic chores. A smattering of labour-saving devices may have helped a little, but generally speaking, there was a similar amount of housework to get though, and less time than ever to get it all done.

Happily, that created a gap in the market for professional cleaners such as Andrea to fill. With domestic and light commercial clients, she’s providing Lincolnshire families with that Zen-like feeling of coming home to a spotless house, and ensuring they can rescue their weekend from the perils of a mountain of housework.

“I have some really super clients and I’ve reached the point now where I can expand the business I established in January and give more people back their free time,” she says.

“Much of my work is in domestic premises although I’ve commercial clients too, and I can provide either a one-off or a regular service that’s completely tailored to a client’s needs and their lifestyle.”

“Recently there’s been quite a demand for my ironing services too. I’ve ever quite understood why people dislike ironing so much… I absolutely love it, can’t get enough of it and so I’m very happy to take it out of my clients’ hands and power through basket after basket of it!”

“I’m fully insured and use commercial-grade products to ensure I can work quickly without sacrificing the meticulous result you’d expect from a professional cleaning company.”

“Another service I offer is professional oven cleaning, bringing even the most abused appliance back to an as-new condition.”

“That service is also really common as part of an end-of-tenancy clean. When a tenant leaves a property they can sometimes leave it in a pretty poor condition.”

“But even if they’re leaving it in a relatively clean and tidy state, between moving out of one property and into another they seldom have the time or inclination to perform a really deep clean on the one they’re departing once the furniture is out.”

“That’s why a professional deep-clean is beneficial to ensure the property is handed over in a good condition for a new tenant, ensuring the next landlord/tenant relationship gets off to a good start.”

“As part of the service I’m also able to complete any minor decorating jobs and ensure kitchen appliances are clean and in good condition for the new tenant.”

Andrea is in the enviable position of being highly sought-after and is expanding her business to provide clients within a 40-minute radius of Boston with a top quality bespoke professional cleaning service for regular professional cleaning services of a one-off deep clean that’ll leave a client’s home looking, feeling and smelling absolutely pristine… we can’t think of anything more satisfying! n

More: Grimebusters by Andrea provides one-off or regular domestic and light commercial cleaning services, oven cleaning, ironing and end of tenancy cleans. For more information call 07752 063401.

Methodical, meticulous & magnificent, Andrea of Grimebusters is the superstar cleaner providing her clients with that unbeatable feeling of returning to a pristine home…

Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113

W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd

TEAL or no TEAL

Cool, relaxing and versatile, teal is a pretty colour for contemporary or modern properties, pairing well with neutral shades too...

This Page: Morris & Co’s Wilhelmina linen fabric in ivory colourway and teal trim £109/m.

Top: Sanderson’s Arboretum collection, including Sessile Leaf (Blue Clay), Pinetum Stripe (Blue Clay), and Fern Frond (Danbury), RRP £69/m.

Top/Right: Designers Guild Tapestry Flower wallpaper in Eau de Nil colourway, £210/roll, £50/m.

Right: Clarke & Clarke, William Morris Designs, curtains in Acanthus, Teal colourway, £25/m. Walls in WIllow Boughs, Teal £25/roll. Cushions in Willow Boughs Teal and Strawberry Thief Teal £25/m. Chair in Willow Boughs Teal £25/m. Sofa in Amalphi Kingfisher £25/m.

To make the best of these fabrics, seek out one of the county’s leading interior design specialists to create bespoke soft furnishings and decoration for your interiors...

Colefax & Fowler Bellflower wallpaper in blue. £38/roll

Lincolnshire Interiors: Delcor: 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. H-Works: 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Richard Sutton Interiors: 01472 268377, www.richardsuttondesigninteriors.com. Stevensons: 01472 233111, www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk. n

Nina Campbell Signature Poiteau wallpaper, £85/roll.

COOKS & COMPANY LUXURY AT HOME with

Discover the secrets of luxury interiors: this month we enjoy taking a glimpse into the world of renowned Newark-based bespoke kitchen design and installation firm Cooks & Company. We explore an awe-inspiring living kitchen and how to achieve a similar look...

LUXURY KITCHEN DESIGN is becoming more about cultivating social interaction and experiences. The space now serves a greater purpose than just food preparation. Kitchens have become an environment where joy, creativity, friendships, and family are nurtured.

The clients wanted to create a living kitchen in their character property. They worked closely with the design team to develop a luxurious space that accommodated their busy family life and maintained the look and feel of their period home whilst incorporating a modern twist.

Luxury kitchen design experts

Jamie Ellis designed this luxury space within a new timber-framed extension.

“A consultation was an essential step in this local family’s journey with us; it allowed our design team to discover their aspirations and explore tailored solutions.”

“This is something we do for all our clients. From bespoke seating to media units, we do whatever it takes to incorporate our clients’ desires into their dream living kitchen. When it’s designed well, a really good living kitchen will be a space in which a family can work and socialise,” says Jamie.

Interiors and Appliances

THE DETAILS

Oakhurst Kitchen by Cooks & Company

Created By: Charles Yorke in collaboration with Cooks & Company.

Ironmongery: Hendel & Hendel.

Surfaces: White quartz.

Flooring: Med Stone Dor Italian porcelain tiles.

Appliances: Lacanche range; Miele built-in appliances; Quooker.

Sinks: Villeroy & Boch.

Lighting: Gallery Direct. n

Right: The family are keen cooks and so chose a bespoke, handmade Lacanche range cooker.

Cooks & Company can create beautiful rooms featuring bespoke cabinetry and then supply all of the kitchen technology you need from brands like Wolf, Sub-Zero, Lacanche, Miele, Gaggenau, Fisher & Paykel and Quooker.

>> “Combining classic touches like the butler’s sink with state-of-the-art appliances like the Quooker tap, we acknowledged the property’s heritage, yet still made the kitchen work for the 21st century.”

“The client was delighted and says that the space is now the heart of their home, where they spend much of their time.”

Achieve the look

Luxury kitchen designs are evolving, and bespoke cabinetry is undoubtedly at the forefront of this movement.

The living kitchen, showcased here, epitomises bespoke craftsmanship and attention to detail that can only be achieved using skilled artisans.

The cabinets’ warm and soft French Grey finish seamlessly complements the natural oak accents, creating a harmonious and serene environment perfect for entertaining and daily living.

Porcelain tiles elevate the entire aesthetic appeal of this luxurious space. Their beautiful design, water and stain-resistant properties make them ideal for even the busiest households.

The focus on luxury is further exemplified by the bespoke fabrics selected for the sofas, chairs and banquette seating.

The neutral colour palette is sumptuous and invites friends and family to gather and get comfortable.

Sophisticated lighting fixtures bathe the entire space in a translucent glow, highlighting the finishing touches that make this kitchen so unique. n

Find Out More: Based near Newark, Cooks & Company specialises in creating luxury kitchens, bespoke furniture, and interiors. Adjacent to the company’s exquisite interiors studio is a showroom displaying luxury-brand appliances. You can find the team at Cooks House on Newark’s Brunel Drive, NG24 2FB. Call 01636 593910 or see www.cooksandcompany.co.uk.

“When it’s designed well, a really good living kitchen will be a space in which a family can work and socialise,” says Jamie

Right: From the iconic Wolf brand, a brushed stainless steel mixer with planetary action, 6.6 litre capacity, and 500w motor, £1,790.

handles and backplates from Hendel & Hendel £35/ea.

Right: Hansen pendant light, 300m width, vintage industry-style ribbed

COLOURS & TEXTURES: The Design Details...

The living kitchen’s bespoke cabinetry has been finished in Little Greene’s French Grey, a calming and neutral shade from the company’s original Victorian range. It’s paired here with Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back, a classic quiet grey/brown shade.

The kitchen’s Stone Dor Italian porcelain tiles, which in addition to being quite beautiful, also benefit from being water and stain resistant and can accommodate an underfloor heating system if required too.

Finally, the company also sourced fabrics and furnishings, creating the banquette seating and advising on accessories.

Shown here is Tetrad’s Kandinsky chair, £1,469. Additional design tips here by Cooks & Company’s Sophie Lathlane. n

Crafting bespoke hardwood conservatories and orangeries, roof lights & timber windows...

A

Special Edition Classic Land Rover with V8 Power, it’s the

Defender Islay Edition

Retro styling and modern mechanicals, this Defender is based on Spencer Wilks’ own vehicle, but with modern mechanicals. It’s a charming vehicle, but at £245,000 each, you’ll have to be very committed!

LAND ROVER is no more. Well, it is... but now, Jaguar Land Rover will be known as JLR and its individual brands will be Jaguar – which will evolve to create luxury electric vehicles – and then several models each within its Defender, Discovery and Range Rover sub-brands.

The practical difference? None whatsoever. And despite having a brand new Defender in its range, topping out with the recentlylaunched Defender 130 Outbound, at a Range-Rover-rivalling£116,000, it’s not the company’s most expensive model across any of the three new Land Rover brands.

The car you see here is obviously a classic Defender. But this is not a third party copy, or a restoration, it’s been made by JLR itself, by the company’s niche Classic Works team as homage to Spencer Wilks’ 1965 model.

Wilks was the Managing Director of Land Rover when the 1948 vehicle was replaced by the Series II in 1958 and when the Series IIA version was launched in 1961 with a few technical and cosmetic tweaks.

Wilks lived on the Laggan Estate on the Isle of Islay in the Scottish Inner Hebrides which was both where the name Land Rover was born and where Wilks tested the prototypes. This car is based on Wilks’ own personal vehicle.

What’s near-identical is the Heritage Grey bodywork, limestone roof and steel wheels. But what’s decidedly 21st century is the 5.0 V8 engine, generating 405hp.

It’s the same engine used in the Defender 130 and in the new Range Rover. Suffice to say the driving experience is rather more sophisticated. Low range gearing and locking diffs are satisfying engaged with old-school levers, though.

Inside the car, too, there are Islay woollen mill seats, Windsor leather headlining, navigation and modern infotainment as well as wood inserts from the island’s Kilchoman Distillery.

The new vehicle is available in both short wheelbase and long-wheelbase (90 & 110) versions, and just 30 vehicles will be produced. At £245,000 each though, you’ll have to really appreciate the original vehicle and reject a modern 130 Defender in favour of the Classic’s retro charm. n

THE DETAILS

Land Rover Classic Islay Edition

Price: £230,000 (90 SWB), £250,000 (110 LWB).

Powertrain: 5.0 V8, 405hp, with eight-speed ZF gearbox and low-range gearbox and diff locks.

Performance: 0-60mph: 5.6secs, top speed 106mph.

Equipment: Sat nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio, heated seats, electric windows, air conditioning, Defender Suspension Upgrade kit, Handling Upgrade kit, Islay Woollen Mill seats, Kilchoman Distillery wood details. n

SUMMER KAFTANS

Cool and stylish, this month we’re showcasing summerwear for sun-savvy fashionistas...

stylish, this we’re showcasing summerwear for sun-savvy fashionistas...

1. Grace Orchid Kaftan, £290. www.odabash.com

2. Mila Shirt Tunic, £75. www.aspiga.com

3. Animal Print Short Silk Beach Coverup, £165. www.lindseybrown.com

4. Rosemary Floral Cover Up, £110. www.tedbaker.com

5. Lace Trim Mini Dress, £120. www.boden.co.uk >>

1. Roxy Organic Cotton Lace Kaftan, £65. www.aspiga.com

2. Tassel embellished medallion print kaftan, £85. www.monsoon.co.uk

3. Signature Tape Kaftan, £75. uk.tommy.com

4. Danaee Off The Shoulder Cover Up, £110. www.tedbaker.com

5. Eyelet Cotton Voile Cover-Up Dress, £219. www.ralphlauren.co.uk

6. Linen Kaftan Maxi Dress, £110. www.boden.co.uk >>

RAISING MONEY IN LINCOLN FOR THE UNITED LINCOLNSHIRE HOSPITALS

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity NHS Charity Ball

FOUNDED IN 1948 The NHS this month celebrates its 75th anniversary, and to recognise the milestone the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity recently held its first black-tie ball at Lincoln’s Doubletree by Hilton. The evening was co-organised by Gary Burr and included a Champagne reception, three-course supper, live magic by James Smith and live music courtesy of The Rogues. The event was hosted by Lincoln City Radio’s Katy Taylor and Richard Askham and supported by sponsors including Medispace, Theraplate, Ruddocks, Allen Signs and Redside.

Founded in 1996 the ULH Charity supports staff working in the NHS in Lincolnshire with funding for equipment, services and amenities to benefit the 9,500 members of staff working in the service, plus patients and families. Recently the charity has funded a sensory room in Boston, a new MRI scanner in Louth and Christmas meals for staff working in hospitals over the festive season. For more information see www.ulhcharity.org.uk. n

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Around Midnight

SIMPLY SUMPTUOUS PRODUCTS FOR SUMMER EVENINGS FROM LUXURY BRANDS

1. Dark Coco from Chanel

Chanel’s No5 was introduced in 1921 and Coco followed rather more recently in 1984, offering a softer, fruitier and lighter fragrance. The sister perfume to Coco, Noir, was launched in 2012, more sophisticated and created for evening functions with an oriental scent derived from its dominant bergamot plus sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, patchouli and vanilla.

£136 / 100ml / EDP www.chanel.com.

2. Dior Eye Palette

5 Couleurs Couture are limited-edition eye-colour palettes from Dior available in Rivage with its luminous orange and satiny nude tones, or Eden Roc, with its glittery Azure blue and pearly bronze shades, £56/7g, www.dior.com.

3. Glass Powder

Blur your skin to perfection with Rodial’s Glass Powder. This weightless loose powder blends subtle pigments with glass-microsphere innovation to scatter ambient light across the skin, helping to diminish the appearance of imperfections, £25/5.5g, www.rodial.com.

4. Bare Essentials

Nailberry’s Bare Essentials helps to make your nail colour go further and look better by serving as a base coat and top coat too. Improves nail colour adherence, provides extra gloss and helps to prevent chipping, £18.50/15ml, www.nailberry.co.uk.

5. A luminous finish for lip from Lancôme...

Lancôme up to 18 hours of comfort, luminous cream finish & silky feel. The iconic formula is now enriched with a blend of roses oils and hyaluronic acid

Flawless colour with 50 shades including Si Seulement, shown here. Vibrant colour, luxurious care, no compromise needed.

£31 / 35ml lancome.co.uk.

6. Blush nails with Vernis À Ongles...

Gucci’s Vernis À Ongles is a brilliant and intense high-coverage varnish, offering a long-lasting glossy shine with a yesteryear glamour allure. It’s available in 12 shades including Ellen Blush, a warm soft pink, and Annabel Rose, a with its neutral skin tone. More vibrant shades include a minty turquoise, powder blue and vermillion red shade, £26/10ml available at www.johnlewis.com.

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

FACING CANCER with Confidence

ACCORDING to the saying, beauty is skin deep. But that’s not entirely true, as Faye Geoghegan is acutely aware. In fact, our sense of self-confidence, an ability to cope with adversity and to put on a brave face when times are tough are all inextricably bound up in the way we look too.

That’s why Look Good Feel Better – a national charity with volunteers in Lincolnshire – is helping those affected by cancer to feel more like themselves again hosting free workshops on skincare and makeup, hair loss and scalp care, hand and nail care plus breathwork and meditation for those whose bodies (and minds) are being adversely affected by treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“I’ve lived in Lincoln for over 30 years. In the past I’ve worked as a bridal makeup artist, and on counters for large cosmetics concessions in department stores, before working at FP Watson Ltd on Bailgate.”

The NHS states that one in two people will develop some form of cancer in their life. Faye’s mum was one of them. We have a better understanding, more tailored treatment plans and better survival rates than ever. Nonetheless a diagnosis is always emotionally challenging.

Thankfully those facing cancer have the work of organisations like Macmillan and Cancer Research UK to help guide them through the experience, offering medical advice and counselling as well as practical advice.

Add to those organisations’ efforts is the work of Look Good Feel Better, which helps people across Lincolnshire to face cancer with confidence.

“Across the UK the charity has about 1,000 volunteers, over 20 of which are based in Lincolnshire, enabling us to offer light-hearted psychological support and provide two hours of ‘me time,’ for up to 15 people at a time.”

The charity was established in 1994 and Faye has worked for its Lincolnshire group since 2008, becoming its Lead Volunteer in 2020.

“During Covid we held our workshops virtually. Some of these have continued post-pandemic, but we work mostly in person. The Lincoln Hotel on Eastgate provide a room for us to use for free every month, so we’re really grateful for their support.”

“Our volunteers are also able to attend because their employers – beauty counter concessions for example – allow them to have time off or support them in other ways. My employer, FP Watson Ltd, is an independent pharmacy as well as a beauty retailer and they’re happy for me to let our customers know about the charity’s work.”

The charity provides workshops for ladies, men and young adults, with workshops to help those living with a cancer diagnosis to counter the side-effects of treatments such as hair loss, skin changes and facial puffiness.

Practical help includes advice on enhancing sparse or lost eyebrows, hair loss and scalp care, hand and nail care when cancer treatment affects them and to prevent infections in those who are immunocompromised, as well as providing workshops on headwear, styling for confidence and classes on mindfulness, meditation & breathwork and skincare for men.

Those attending the workshops also take home a bag of luxury cosmetics tailored to the workshop, all generously donated from the cosmetic and perfumery industry.

“They’re not pamper sessions, but uplifting show and tell workshops with a practical aim. There is a sense of mutual support, but above all it’s a relaxed and happy experience that’s intended to give those living with a cancer diagnosis their confidence back.” n

Look Good Feel Better aims to help those living with cancer to feel more like themselves again with free workshops and classes. This month is also Look Good Feel Better month, so we caught up with Faye Geoghegan to find out more about the charity...

Beneficiaries Ann Jones & Lorraine Dolby, with lead volunteer Faye Geoghegan and long-standing volunteer Kathryn Dobson. Images courtesy of Gary Lockley, www.photoflair.net, 07734 014240.

Look Good Feel Better in Lincoln

Over 1,000 volunteers across the UK at 140 locations such as hotels, hospitals and cancer treatment centres host wellbeing workshops for women, men and young adults. These include workshops on skincare and makeup, hand and nail care, hair loss, scalp care and new growth, wigs, brows and lashes, men’s skincare and breathwork & meditation. Here’s what a few of the charity’s past participants say about their experience...

“The friendly, professional support these courses offer is truly amazing. After attending the Skincare and Makeup Workshop I came away having discovered new skills and techniques which made me so much more confident about dealing with the effects of cancer. A great boost for my morale, thanks to both yourself and your team, you’re doing a great job!”

Ann Jones, Lincoln

“Being among all these woman who looked just like me helped me so much.”

Kate Wydra

“My confidence, which had taken a real nosedive, grew so much.”

Penny Kyriacou

“I picked up solid advice and tips which have made life that bit easier.”

Roland Palmer

n Look Good Feel Better is a national charity working in Lincolnshire to help women, men and young adults to face cancer with confidence. The charity hosts free monthly workshops at The Lincoln Hotel with booking via Beverley or Sophie of Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre, call 01522 573799 or see www. lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk.

A Right Royal Celebration

Fate decided that Grace and Jake should be together, and after a lockdown romance the two found themselves planning a beautiful wedding at Woodhall Spa’s Dower House, unaware at the time that it would turn into a Coronation Weekend celebration!

Wedding Photographer: Chloe Gels Photo & Video, 07578 037221, www.chloegelsphotovideo.co.uk.

I’M NOT A RELIGIOUS PERSON, but I am quite a believer in fate. And stories like Grace and Jake’s blossoming romance do nothing to dissuade me that life has a plan, especially when it comes to nudging us into the arms of our future partners.

Both were living in Lincoln and attended the same school, albeit three years apart from one another and so they missed the opportunity to bump into one another there.

A little later, when Grace had completed her accountancy qualification and returned from working in Jersey, she was just about to go off to Leeds to pursue her career when Covid came along and grounded her in Lincolnshire.

At the same time Jake, who works in the recruitment sector centring his activities around London found himself in Lincoln too. That allowed the couple’s Tinder radius to coincide briefly, but just long enough for the two to connect.

The first lockdown’s restrictions were eased sufficiently for the couple to enjoy their first en plein air date, walking around Whisby’s Natural World Centre followed by a socially distanced coffee together.

It was just the nudge that the two needed to realise there was a spark, and by the time the next lockdown came along, the new couple decided to bubble together. It proved to be a sort of romantic boot camp which lead both to conclude that they could live very happily with one another. Circumstances (shall we say, fate?) nudged them together and this was it: true love.

Happily by the time the couple went on holiday to Cornwall, restrictions had eased.

A few weeks earlier Grace was enjoying a girls’ weekend at Glastonbury and so Jake had taken the opportunity to ask her father for permission to ask her to marry him.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

On a secluded bit of beach on Cornwall’s Watergate Bay, Jake dropped to knee and surprised Grace with a proposal.

“I should have suspected something from the fact that he was uncharacteristically patient about getting to the restaurant, suggesting a walk instead of food,” says Grace. “But I was delighted and said ‘yes’ immediately!”

“Grace is ridiculously organised,” says Jake. “The whole of the wedding planning was conducted via the most complicated spreadsheet I’d ever seen. I was in awe of it! Everything was so meticulously planned that really all I had to do was turn up!”

Wedding Venue: Dower House, Woodhall Spa, 01526 352588, www.dowerhousehotel.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani at Belle & Bouquet, 01522 811122 www.belleandbouquet.co.uk.

Bridal Hair: Cabello at CCs, 07812 096710

Makeup: Bec Marshall, via Facebook/Insta.

Groomsmens’ Tailoring: Perfection, Lincoln, 01522 533615, perfectionlincoln.co.uk.

Wedding Flowers: Flowers by Maxine, Coningsby 01526 342591, www.floristconingsby.co.uk.

Wedding Cake: Cakes by Zoe, 07783 179254, www.cakesbyzoelincoln.co.uk.

Videography: George Hughes, www.gwjhughesfilms.com.

Decorations: Finishing Touches Wedding & Event Hire, 07518 460694. Stationery: raspberryrosedesigns.co.uk.

Band: Huckleberry Grove at www.entertainment-nation.co.uk.

Harpist: Christine Palethorpe, 07542 191401.

Flower Wall: midlandsflowerwallco.co.uk.

Garden Games: bee.event.hire@outlook.com. n

The couple discussed dates over dinner and decided that planning a wedding in under a year would be a challenge, but achievable… especially with Grace’s mighty spreadsheet.

“Most people look at venues first but actually we created a first draft of the guest list to see how many people we needed to accommodate. We then looked at eight venues, but The Dower House at Woodhall Spa really stood out for us. It felt like a lovely place with a warm feel. The wedding coordinator, Carolyn, was absolutely lovely and we loved the fact that it was a place we could return to for drinks, a meal, or a night away in the future for anniversaries and so on.”

“We also liked the fact that we could have exclusive use of the venue, and the look and feel of the place was perfect, with the folly and the garden making a lovely backdrop.”

“I think we were quite lucky with our photographer too. I found Chloe on Instagram and I thought her photos were out of this world. She made us feel really at ease right from our first conversation and our engagement shoot. I can’t recommend her enough. She also works with George Hughes, who provided videography for us. We’re delighted with the result and we’re looking forward to watching it year after year.”>>

>> The couple booked their wedding for 6th May, only realising when the invitations had been sent out that the day coincided with King Charles’ coronation. The royal blue colour scheme was a good fit, and actually the four day weekend helped to ensure all of the guests’ availability.

Sarah Beedham of Raspberry Rose provided invites, confetti and branding.

Zoe Campbell of Lincoln’s Cakes By Zoe provided a three tier wedding cake with salted caramel, raspberry & Champagne and lemon & white chocolate tiers, expertly tasted and selected by Jake, who perhaps did the job a little too well, finding himself dismayed that it was so well received there was none left to take home afterwards.

Coningsby’s Flowers by Maxine provided white and blush roses, blue hydrangeas and eucalyptus and the colour scheme was also expressed in the groomsmens’ blue check tailoring from Perfection of Lincoln.

“We were also thrilled with a wedding present from my parents,” says Grace. “They treated us to the creation of bespoke fragrances at Floris of London, so we’ll be able to reorder our personalised scents, year after year.”

“The whole day was completely magical and all of our suppliers were wonderful. From the incredible speeches to the fact that all of our family and friends were around us, we had the very best day!” n

Wedding Photographer: Chloe Gels Photo & Video, 07578 037221, www.chloegelsphotovideo.co.uk.

“The couple booked their wedding for 6th May, only realising later that the day coincided with King Charles’ coronation...”

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear

Since 1979

SANDLANDTAYLOR AESTHETICS

WRINKLE TREATMENT TWO AREAS 30 MINUTES • £190

WRINKLE TREATMENT THREE AREAS 30 MINUTES • £230

0.5ML LIP FILLER • 45 MINUTES • FROM £150

1ML LIP FILLER • 45 MINUTES • FROM £200 PRESCRIPTION SKINCARE CONSULTATION

Call for an appointment on 07720 345236 or find us on Facebook or Instagram @sandlandtayloraesthetics

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.

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