Lincolnshire Pride March 2016

LincolnshirePride

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MAR 2016

MOTHER’S DAY IN LINCOLNSHIRE

LINCOLNSHIRE WEDDINGS

COVERING LINCOLNSHIRE AND NEWARK ON TRENT

LincolnshirePride

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

Photographs of Woodhall Spa’s Farmers’ Ball and celebrating Magna Carta in Lincoln...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It’s the county’s mouthwatering new recipe book

Farmers’ Ball 2016 EXCLUSIVE THE EVENT

New book celebrates the county’s best food producers. From Page 62

Enjoy our exclusive photos. Page 16.

THE BELTON HORSE TRIALS Preview of this year’s equestrian competition...

Dress up for the British Eventing affiliated trials. See Page 46.

£3.70

EDITH SMITH Looking back on the life of our first female Police Officer Page 26

Eating Out in March

Supreme Inn near Boston

From Page 52

Brendan Cole Strictly Come Dancing EXCLUSIVE

MARCH 2016

Tangos into Lincolnshire BBC One celebrity brings his tour to three venues across the county...

This Month: Discover Lincolnshire - the county’s weekend of entertainment...

SEASONAL FASHION TRENDS AT CINDY’S Sutton Bridge retailer previews Spring fashions

Page 126

WHALE WATCHING Skegness in the news as lost whales wash ashore. We talk to the conservation experts

Page 20

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JULIAN WILKINSON MANAGING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER

ROB DAVIS, EDITOR 01529 469977, editor@lincolnshirepride.co.uk

An unfortunate tragedy seems a downbeat way to begin my Editor’s Welcome this month, but as our editorial deadline passed, the story of Skegness’s beached whales made national headlines. This month we’re telling the story, and congratulate all those who helped with efforts to ensure a dignified end to the lives of these magnificent creatures.

The current frostiness through the window of our offices also makes looking forward to spring rather difficult, but as well as better weather, we’re looking forward to this month’s Discover Lincoln weekend.

All too often it’s easy to overlook the attractions and properties that are so close to us, but Lincoln is a very special place to spend time, so rather than just visiting the city for day-today shopping this season, do remember to revisit some old favourites - not least among which, the Castle and Cathedral.

Elsewhere in this edition, we’re discovering the heroism and heartache behind the first female Police Officer, Grantham’s Edith Smith. We also meet Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole, appearing no fewer than three times in the county this month, and we preview the forthcoming Belton Horse Trials.

Our best wishes for spring!

Rob Davis, Editor

LincolnshirePride MAR 2016

MOTHER’S DAY IN LINCOLNSHIRE

LINCOLNSHIRE WEDDINGS

COVERING LINCOLNSHIRE AND NEWARK ON TRENT

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

EXCLUSIVE THE EVENT

New Recipe Book

New book celebrates the county’s best food producers. From page 62

Enjoy our exclusive photos. Page 16.

THE BELTON HORSE TRIALS Preview of this year’s equestrian competition...

Dress up for the British Eventing affiliated trials. See page 46.

£ 33 . 7 0

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It’s the County’s Mouthwatering

Farmers’ Ball 2016

EDITH SMITH Looking Back on the Life of our First Female Police Officer Page 26

Eating Out in March

Supreme Inn near Boston

From Page 52

Brendan Cole EXCLUSIVE

Strictly Come Dancing Tangos into Lincolnshire BBC One celebrity brings his tour to three venues across the county...

This Month: Discover Lincolnshire - the county’s weekend of entertainment...

SEASONAL FASHION TRENDS AT CINDY’S Sutton Bridge Retailer Previews Spring Outfits

Page 126

WHALE WATCHING Skegness in the news as lost whales wash ashore. We talk to the conservation experts

Page 20

COVER PHOTOS

We’re always looking for beautiful images for our front covers. Email your county scenes to the above email address if you’d like to see your photograph on our front page!

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LincolnshirePride MAR 2016

MOTHER’S DAY IN LINCOLNSHIRE

LINCOLNSHIRE WEDDINGS

COVERING LINCOLNSHIRE AND NEWARK ON TRENT

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

Farmers’ Ball 2016

New book celebrates the county’s best food producers. From page 62

Enjoy our exclusive photos. Page 16.

THE BELTON HORSE TRIALS Preview of this year’s equestrian competition...

Dress up for the British Eventing affiliated trials. See page 46.

£ 3 .. 7 0

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It’s the County’s Mouthwatering New Recipe Book

EXCLUSIVE THE EVENT

EDITH SMITH Looking Back on the Life of our First Female Police Officer Page 26

Eating Out in March

Supreme Inn near Boston

From Page 52

Brendan Cole Strictly Come Dancing EXCLUSIVE

Tangos into Lincolnshire

SEASONAL FASHION TRENDS AT CINDY’S Sutton Bridge Retailer Previews Spring Outfits

Page 126

WHALE WATCHING Skegness in the news as lost whales wash ashore. We talk to the conservation experts

Page 20

BBC One celebrity brings his tour to three venues across the county...

This Month: Discover Lincolnshire - the county’s weekend of entertainment...

With best wishes from the Lincolnshire Pride team Managing Director and Publisher: Julian Wilkinson.

General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Features Editor: Tilly Wilkinson.

Graphic Designer and Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Accounts Manager: Sue Bannister.

Sales Manager: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, Roberta Hall, Liz King, Emily Brown, Lauren Chambers and Carissa Clay.

Distribution Manager: Joe Proctor.

www.facebook.com/lincolnshirepride Why not follow us on Facebook? You can keep up to date with any news we may have for our lovely magazine!

twitter.com/@LincsPrideMag Follow us on Twitter so you can read our tweets. We’ll let you know what’s going on and keep you well informed!

By supplying editorial or adverts to Lincolnshire Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion.

This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available. Selected images in our content may be sourced from www.shutterstock.com.

Enjoy Lincolnshire Pride, read it cover to cover.

Pick it up, put it down and when you have finished with it pass it on. When everyone has had a good read, pop it in the recycle bin!

Pride Magazines Elm Grange Studios East Heckington, Boston Lincolnshire PE20 3QF Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

www.pridemagazines.co.uk enquiries@pridemagazines.co.uk

Page 16: Farmers in their finery at Horncastle’s Petwood Hotel.

Contents

March 2016

Enjoy March’s NEWS, and events on our What’s On pages, with great ideas for Mother’s Day and Easter.

06 26 32 52 74 104 126 153

This month, meet Grantham’s EDITH SMITH, the first female police officer, who set a precedent of equality which endures today.

He’s the Saturday night star who has helped to make dancing popular once more. This month we meet Strictly’s BRENDAN COLE. March’s FOOD & DRINK pages include restaurant recommendations, and recipes from a brand new Lincolnshire cook book.

Our HOMES pages include the latest trends for the new season, plus we take a peek around a prestigious home near Sleaford.

Enjoy NATURE in the county this month with a look at an unusual farming operation, and the restoration of a heritage watermill.

Wrap up warm this month as our FASHION pages include clothing from Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge.

Look forward to a summer of open top MOTORING this month with a brace of topless sports cars, including Range Rover’s Evoque.

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County News Five year tourism growth for North Lincolnshire...

New figures demonstrate five years of growth for tourism in North Lincolnshire, with 3,400,000 visitors to the area generating £160m for economy

£3m in six hours - not a bad day’s work for Christie’s Thatcher Auction Grantham’s most famous resident posthumously raised more than £3m recently as Lincoln auction house Christies sold 185 lots previously owned

by Margaret Thatcher.

The former prime minister’s dispatch box made £242,500, whilst a bald eagle statue gifted to the town’s most iconic resident by Ronald Regan, fetched £266,500.

The sale was held 25 years after the Iron Lady left office, in the year when she would have celebrated her 90th birthday. Other lots included her parliamentary robes and wedding dress.

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North Lincolnshire enjoyed a 5.5% increase in tourism during 2014 and boosted the area’s wealth by over £160m.

The new figures show an increase in visitors from 2.8m in 2010 to 3.4m in 2014 figures for 2015 will be released later this year.

With over 74 places to visit, and 1,126 ‘bed spaces’ in the accommodation sector, the tourism sector employs more than 2,300 people in North Lincolnshire.

Council-owned attractions included in the reports increased footfall, with Waters’ Edge reporting an increase of 26.3%, whilst Normanby Hall and North Lincolnshire Museum also report an 8% increase in visitors.

No bones about it, there’s history beneath Lincoln streets!

Hidden cache of 23 Roman skeletons excavated from beneath Newland is the most significant archaeological find in a number of years...

“Year-on-year the visitor figures have been increasing and it looks as though numbers are growing even more this year in North Lincolnshire,” says Rob Waltham, of North Lincolnshire Council.

“There are some fantastic attractions and events across North Lincolnshire with a whole range of things to do.

“Tourism has a positive effect on the economy through bringing more jobs to the area - complementing all the major projects happening across the region. North Lincolnshire is on the up; it’s a fantastic place to live, work and play.” n North East Lincolnshire is also set to be in the news a little more with the release of film The Brothers Grimsby.

Lincoln City Council has said that the discovery of 23 Roman skeletons beneath the city’s streets is the most important archaeological find for a number of years. The skeletons were unearthed as part of an excavation in Newland at a site next to Lincolnshire Co-op’s pharmacy.

“The Roman cemetery along Newland has been one of the most enigmatic parts of the city’s archaeology,” says Kieron Manning, of the city council.

“This excavation will allow us to understand much more about the lives of the people who lived in Lincoln more than 1,500 years ago.”

“Archaeologists will now be able to identify the sex, age and health of the individuals buried here, and this will give us new insights into the population of Roman Lincoln.”

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Send your press releases and county news to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Lincolnshire Firefighters Honoured at Epic ceremony The ceremony took place at the EPIC centre and was attended by representatives of Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue...

Love yurts, but there’s no growing pains for Kirkby on Bain business...

Planning permission granted for five new yurts providing quirky holiday accommodation

Visitors to Lincolnshire will soon be offered a greater choice of holiday accommodation thanks to planning permission for five new yurts at Kirkby on Bain between Coningsby and Horncastle.

The new yurts - Mongolian tipees for glamping - will extend the firm’s provision of quirky outdoor accommodation at the Beech Cottage site when they are created on the site in the spring.

The ‘force’ is strong with 2,000 Lincolnshire knights Star Wars franchise may be popular, but over 2,000 Lincolnshire residents may be taking the sci-fi yarn a little too seriously, claiming ‘Jedi Knight’ status...

Lincolnshire firefighters from stations across the county have been recognised for their outstanding service and commitment to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue in a special ceremony.

On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, the firefighters were awarded The Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, for 20 years’ service as members of the Fire Brigades of the United Kingdom by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Air Vice-Marshall Gavin Mackay.

The ceremony took place at the EPIC centre in Lincoln and was attended by representatives of Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue including Chief Fire Officer, Dave Ramscar and the service’s executive member for Safer Communities, Cllr Peter Robinson.

“I’m delighted that our firefighters have been recognised with this prestigious honour,” says Dave Ramscar, of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. “Each of these firefighters work tirelessly in serving and protecting the local community and regularly go above and beyond what is expected of them. Awards of this calibre show that this dedication is recognised by peers and, indeed, local communities.

Lincolnshire was in the grip of Star Wars mania over the festive season with the sci-fi franchise’s latest product taking record-breaking revenue at the box office.

Some residents in Lincolnshire, though, may be taking the yarn a little too seriously, having entered their religion on the 2011 census as ‘Jedi Knight.’

There are over 2,000 ‘Jedi

Knights’ in Lincolnshire, with Lincoln boasting the highest number - at 439.

The force is also strong in South Kesteven, East Lindsey and North Kesteven with 372, 361 and 281, whilst South Holland and Boston follow suit with 242 and 169 Jedis. Let’s hope the county’s Jedi population adhere to the light side of the universe’s mythical power...

Shown above are: Crew Manager Chris Jefferson from Sleaford, Watch Command Support Mark Housam from Boston, Watch Manager Steve Wright from Lincoln, Watch Command Support Dan Marsland from Lincoln, Station Manager Paul Howes from Lincoln, Watch Command Support Paul Deighton, and Retained FF Lisa Rhodes from Waddington.

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www.mountandminster.co.uk

James Street, Lincoln A beautifully proportioned four bedroom Grade II listed residence on James Street immediately opposite Lincoln Cathedral. This generous private property is situated on one of the most sought after streets in the City. There are beautiful period features throughout including exposed beams, cast iron fireplaces and gorgeous sash windows and shutters. Private off-road parking is provided at The Lincoln Hotel. Outside, there is further unrestricted on-street parking on James Street together with a private court-yard.

Rental Guide: £1,200 PCM

Stone Cottage, Brant Broughton An immaculate three-bedroom Grade II listed country cottage extensively renovated to a very high standard in a pretty and desirable village. This fine home truly is one-of-a-kind with a wealth of intricate period features and warmth throughout. The garden is laid mainly to lawn with trees, shrubs and flower beds around the perimeter with the benefit of an additional outside seating area for entertaining and dining. Private, off street parking is located through prominent double gates onto the gravelled driveway.

Guide Price: £340,000

Atton Place | 32 Eastgate Lincoln | LN2 1QA – 01522 716204 40 St James’ Place London | SW1A 1NS – 020 7839 0888

Ralph Wyrley-Birch Lincoln

James Ward Lincoln

Bob Bickersteth London

Sam Garmany London

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The Hayloft - Essendine £850,000

The Hayloft – This family home extends to approximately 3,775 sqft of accommodation which is emphasised with high ceilings to many rooms. This superb conversion offers a fantastic layout for the growing family or for those with dependant relatives with a bedroom wing comprising of 4 double bedrooms, all with ensuite facilities, as well as a further double bedroom to the first floor with ensuite shower room.

The feeling of space is evident when first entering The Hayloft with a huge dining hall with double doors opening to an impressive kitchen breakfast room with walk in pantry and large utility room. Bi folding doors from the kitchen breakfast give access to an enclosed courtyard ideal for al fresco dining. A further set of bi folding doors from the court yard give access to the lovely living room with wood burning stove. The Hayloft is complete and ready to move into as carpets have been fitted.

Rosewood – North Luffenham £515,000

Rosewood – The last remaining property on this popular development by Francis Jackson Homes, in a prominent location and enjoying a good size corner plot on the edge of this popular Rutland Water Village. The property is a four bedroom detached home of some 2000 sq.ft with two en suite shower/bathroom, a 4 piece family bathroom and 3 of the bedrooms also offering built in wardrobes. On the ground floor is a spacious reception hall and cloakroom, living room with wood burning stove, a separate dining room, large kitchen/family room and utility. Externally is a detached double garage and additional parking. As expected the property is finished to an exacting standard with high energy efficiency with solar panels, landscaped gardens, fitted carpets and is ready to move into.

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Curtis House, Stoke Dry An outstanding country house, standing on the edge of the village, enjoying fabulous panoramic views over Eyebrook Reservoir, set in about 16.6 acres

GUIDE ÂŁ2,500,000 3 Reception Rooms, 2 Studies, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility Room, Cloakroom, Shower Room/Cloakroom. Principal Bedroom Suite, 3 Bedrooms with En suites, 1 further Bedroom, Bathroom. Ultrafast Broadband, EPC = D. Indoor Swimming Pool Complex, Outbuildings, Garaging, Orchard, Gardens, Paddock Land.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

The Farmers’ Ball

Held at The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa...

The Farmers’ Ball is always a great event to cover... Our farmer’s work really hard, so we think they’re entitled to let their hair down every so often, and last month, 426 of the county’s finest did just that, at the annual Farmers’ Ball.

The event, held at Woodhall Spa’s Petwood Hotel, began in 1906 as The Bachelors’ Ball. Last year, money raised from the charity ball was donated to the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (£1,050); Carers UK; Horncastle Getaway Club; Headway; LIVES and Lincolnshire Riding for the Disabled (£750/ea). Barclays Bank also matched donations across the LIVES and Ambucopter to the tune of £1,750. The event included the ‘heads and tails’ game, and a three course supper using local produce, from suppliers like Louth’s Meridian Meats, and featured entertainment from The Bush Doctors and Party Pulse Disco. n View and purchase all of our photos online at www.lincolnshirepride.co.uk.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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BENEATH hat

i es

NORMALLY A BRASH, FUN PLACE TO SPEND TIME, THE SEASIDE RESORT OF SKEGNESS RECENTLY WITNESSED AN UNPRECEDENTED TRAGEDY IN THE FORM OF THREE WHALE CARCASSES WASHED UP ON THE COAST ADJACENT TO LAGOON WALK, WITH A FURTHER ONE WASHED UP ABOUT SIX MILES ALONG THE COAST AT WAINFLEET... WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? Words: ob a is.

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A seaside town, home to about 25,000 people, Skegness’s population usually swells around Easter, especially with good weather.

Its beach is one of the top 10 in the UK, and tourism in the area is worth £526,000,000 with over 8,000,000 visitors annually.

At this time of year, Skegness is usually gearing up for the start of the season, but this year, it was unusually busy at the end of January.

Ordinarily, that would be a cause for delight, but on this occasion, the reason for the influx of visitors to the town, making the headlines, was not the fast rides and funfairs, not the candy floss and cabaret - not the usual kitsch family run associated with the resort, but an ecological tragedy.

On 22nd January, two sperm wales washed ashore at Gibraltar Point with a further creature on Lagoon Walk, alongside another whale on the coastline of Hunstanton, and

a fifth whale which washed up on the former bombing range at Wainfleet.

The East Coast whales began to decompose with a terrible stench, and each cost East Lindsey District Council an estimated £10,000 to dispose of. The implications extend beyond tragedy, tourism and disposal, though, with visitors looking to apportion blame to anything from wind turbines to nuclear power.

According to CSIP, the DEFRA-funded Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, between 550 and 800 cetaceans are stranded

CSIP SAY THAT BETWEEN 550 AND 800 CETACEANS ARE STRANDED ON THE UK COASTLINE EACH YEAR

on the UK coastline each year; most are harbour porpoise or short-beaked common dolphins. Just 28 sperm whales have been stranded between 2003 and 2007, the most recent publicly-available figures.

Richard Yeadon is co-owner of Natureland Seal Sanctuary on Skegness’s North Parade.

The centre celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, and has rescued over 730 seals during that time, typically serving as a sanctuary and seal hospital for around 30-50 of the mammals each year. There’s some cross-over of knowledge but whales, says Richard, are different creatures; smaller mammals, which are comparatively common on the East Coast.

“You’re more likely to see them on the West Coast of the British isles, where the seas are deeper,” he says. “Whale watchers can see minke whales, even humpbacks around the North West Scotland and Ireland.” >>

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- SKEGNESS WHALES -

one of the creatures ingesting plastic, becoming ill then leading the rest of the allmale pod off-course whist journeying from the East Coast of Scotland towards Norway.

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mong the difficulties of investigating the creatures is the build-up of methane gas around their decomposing organs, which resulted in a loud explosion and has made gaining any meaningful pathological insight more difficult. At the time of writing, it’s a battle against time to gain the information needed and remove the creatures from the beach before doing so becomes too difficult.

Beached: Lee Swift captured this aerial drone image of the beached whales, illustrating the creatures’ sheer size.

“We’d see whales appearing on the coast in greater numbers were it not for the fact that our seas are so shallow,” he adds. “I went to see the creatures and it was a sad sight.

It’s rare to deal with them here. The last time we saw a whale was near Skegness Pier in 2012, with the bottle nose whale appearing near Gibraltar Point about six years before that.”

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he creatures should be in the North Atlantic, but seem to have taken a wrong turn and ended up in shallower, southern waters. As they work their way south, shallower waters topographical features like the sandbanks of The Wash present mobility issues for the creatures, which can be between 12m and 15m in diameter.

An additional problem is the scarcity of food in shallower waters, with the mainstay of a sperm whale’s diet being larger squid, - over 10m in length. The creatures suck in huge quantities of water and strain out their food, something which is more challenging along the East Coast.

“THE CREATURES SHOULD BE IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC, BUT HAVE TAKEN A WRONG TURN AND ENDED UP IN OUR SHALLOWER WATERS...”

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Among the theories put forward as to why the creatures ended up on the beach, there were speculations about the whales becoming confused by electromagnetic forces generated from the East Coast’s wind farm, something that industry experts say is highly unlikely.

Another theory is that nuclear energy is responsible - the creatures’ bodies were defaced with spray-painted graffiti with the phrase ‘fukishima [sic] RIP’ and what should have been the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament but, with a stroke from the bottom of the logo missing, was actually the logo for Mercedes Benz.

Richard considers both of these explanations unlikely given that there has been no corresponding increase in deaths of the seal population either in light of the Fukushima incident from 2011, nor from the siting of wind turbines in The Wash.

A further theory is that sonar from submarines has ‘deafened’ the whales who may have panicked and split up. However, a more likely explanation is that one or more of the creatures died after ingesting pollution, with plastic tarpaulin or a fishing net a likely cause.

Scientists studying the bodies of the whales are speculating as to whether the results of their on-beach post-mortem will point to

“The guys from the CSIP cut into the animal to look for things like the amount of food it had in it at the time and what its internal organs looked like,” says James Gilbert of ELDC. “Just last night one of the carcasses had moved and we need to move it further up the beach so it doesn’t get taken away with high tide only to reappear again, making it more difficult to remove.”

“We had contractors ready within 48 hours of the news of the stranding, we’re well-rehearsed in the process. In 2012 we had to use a 360° crane and digger with a bulldozer, so its a case of removing the carcasses in the safest and the most humane way possible.”

“The bodies will eventually go to landfill but it’s difficult to find a location that’s deep enough. There have been visitors numbering in the low-thousands, and though it’s not the best way to learn about them, it can also be a valuable experience - we had a young girl who wants to be a marine biologist. Her parents brought her and she was fascinated.

One thing we were encouraging people to do, though, was to remain within the cordon and not to touch the creatures - to look but don’t touch.”

As Pride goes to press the creatures will be removed, and whilst a sadness surrounds their death, the opportunity for studying the creatures’ habits from the five deaths will at least be of value to scientists. With the creatures’ removal, hopefully the seaside town will regain its reputation for its fairgrounds and fun for 2016’s 8m visitors.

n Stop Press: The whales were removed on 28th January, by a team of 14, working through the night. They will be buried in landfill near Sheffield.

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The Scale of the

WHALE Man: Approx 1.7m, 80kgs.

Long Beaked Dolphin: 1.9-2.5m, 80-150kgs.

‘Killer Whale’ (Orca): 6-9m, 6-11 tonnes.

Humpback Whale: 12-16m, 25-30 tonnes.

Sperm Whale: 10-16m, 40-45 tonnes.

Blue Whale: 27-33m, 150-180 tonnes.

The Whale File

n Size and Shape: On average a sperm whale is 12-16m but the largest ever recorded was 20.5m.

The jawbone alone is 5.5m, the heaviest sperm whale ever recorded was 56 tonnes.

n Brain Size: The sperm whale has a brain five times larger than a human’s. At 7.8kg in mass, it’s also the largest brain of any modern or extinct creature.

n Life Span: The average lifespan for a sperm whale is 70 years. The creatures live in ‘pods’ comprising of around a dozen whales. Whales tend to stay in their pods until 20 years of age before forming their own pods.

n Teeth: Sperm whales have between 20 and 26 teeth on each side of their lower jaw. The teeth in their upper jaw rarely break through their gums.

n Diet: A sperm whale’s standard diet comprises medium to large squid, octopus and fish. They search for food to a depth of 3,000ft but can dive as deep as 9,000ft. n Population: There are around 100,000 sperm whales left in the world, the species is classified as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature list. They can live in any of the world’s oceans and are prevalent, but particularly threatened, in Japanese waters, where they are most commonly hunted.

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JoHnSonS MoRe THAn A GARDen CenTRe

Johnsons is so convenient – away from town traffic, with masses of free parking.

An outstanding Garden Centre, we offer fantastic value for money without compromising on quality.

A food hall stocked with every day essentials, as well as local

produce and an award winning local butcher and deli, Hambletons.

A very popular restaurant serving fantastic home cooked meals, as well as cakes and pastries.

And that is not all …

As well as gifts and cards, we have a huge Aquatics and Pet

department, an outstanding Falconry Centre free to under 12’s, Studio 10 Hair Salon, a grooming parlour for your furry friends, ladies fashions at Klass Clothing, Murdoch Troon kitchens and gifts, Hand Car Wash and Valeting and much more.

• Garden Centre • Fine Foods Store • Restaurant • Cards and Gifts

• Cash Machine (no charge) • Falconry Centre • Aquatics • Pets • Car Wash • Hair Salon • Klass Clothing • Seacroft Mobility • Dog Grooming

Wainfleet Rd, Fishtoft, Boston Pe21 9RL. Tel: 01205 363408 www.johnsonsofboston.co.uk oPen SeVen DAyS A WeeK

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- HISTORY -

Grantham’s Pioneering Policewoman

EDITH SMITH

GRANTHAM WAS HOME TO THE FIRST EVER FEMALE POLICE OFFICER IN BRITAIN, EDITH SMITH. THE TOWN HAS RECENTLY CELEBRATED THE CENTENARY OF EDITH’S INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE. WE ENLISTED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GRANTHAM CIVIC SOCIETY, COURTNEY FINN AND VOLUNTEER RESEARCHER AT BELTON HOUSE, JANET ROWORTH, TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS WOMAN’S INCREDIBLE STORY...

The Edith Smith story is about an ordinary woman born in relatively humble circumstances whose time as the first warranted female police officer was very far from ordinary.

Edith earned a unique place in our social history. She founded a large family who are proud of her and would love to have met their famous grandmother. Unfortunately, Edith Smith died at just 46 years of age and though we do not know why, she appears to have taken her own life.

Edith was born in 1876 in Claughton, near Birkenhead on the Wirral peninsular, where her father had a plant nursery and seed business.

policing. The Women Police Volunteers (WPV) was formed in London and recruits were given basic training in drill, first aid, and self-defence.

They adopted a military-style uniform and began patrolling the streets, giving help and advice to women and children, and assisting with the flood of Belgian refugees that was pouring into the capital.

The leader of the WPV was Miss Damer Dawson, whose brother-in-law Captain Kensington was stationed at Belton Park,

They moved drunks on, visited the families of girls they believed to be in moral danger and enforced, controversially, a curfew imposed on the women of Grantham by the army.

The fact that the services of the two women were much appreciated by the military authorities is documented in a letter sent by Major General F. Hammersley, the commander of the 11th Division which was training at Belton Park Camp, to Miss Dawson. Major General Hammersley thought that the two women might be removed and he did not want this to happen.

“Edith’s life must have been turned upside down after her husband died, but the 1911 census shows that she was training as a pupil midwife...”

Edith married William Smith, who came from Wainfleet, in 1897, and so kept her family name. William ran a stationery and tobacconist’s shop in Oxton, on the Wirral, where Edith was the sub-postmistress.

However William tragically died in 1907, leaving Edith with the care of their three young daughters and one son.

Edith’s life must have been turned upside down, but the 1911 census shows that she was training as a pupil midwife, lodging in Peckham in London, while her daughters were at various schools across the country and her son was in an orphanage near Blackburn.

The outbreak of war in August 1914 gave influential women the opportunity to press their case for women to be involved in 26

Words: Courtney Finn & Janet Roworth.

one of the army camps that had been established across the country to train Kitchener’s new army. The arrival of thousands of young men billeted outside Grantham was causing concern to the civil and military authorities as they struggled to maintain law and order, the main problems being drunkenness and prostitution.

And so Miss Dawson was asked to provide two members of the WPV to assist. Mary Allen and Ellen Harburn arrived in Grantham by train on 27th November 1914, the first uniformed women police officers in the UK to carry out actual policing duties, although at this stage they had no powers of arrest.

“The services of the two ladies in question have proved of great value. They have removed sources of trouble to the troops in a manner that the military police could not attempt. Moreover, I have no doubt whatever that the work of these ladies in an official capacity, is a great safeguard to the moral welfare of young girls in the town.”

Early in 1915 the WPV reformed as the Women Police Service (WPS) and the two police officers at Grantham moved on to Hull, to be replaced by Mrs Edith Smith and Miss Teed. Both women had been trained in London, where a colleague Dorothy Peto described Mrs Smith as ‘a woman of outstanding personality, fearless, motherly and adaptable.’

In November 1915 a meeting was held in Grantham to discuss the progress of the

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- HISTORY -

policewomen. The Bishop of Grantham was in the chair. The Chief Constable said he was most satisfied with the women’s performance and that he now wanted their work to continue in an official capacity.

The Women’s Central Committee under their Chairman Lady Thorold had raised money through voluntary subscriptions to pay the policewomen, but in December 1915 the Watch Committee of Grantham Borough Council decided to pay the policewomen from the rates, in the same way as the policemen were funded.

O

n 17 December 1915 Chief Constable Casburn signed Edith Smith’s Warrant Card and she received the power of arrest, becoming the first full WPC with her name moving into history. Miss Teed and Edith received 28s (£1.40) per week and merely changed their WPS cap badges for the Town Arms of Grantham shown on her Warrant card.

In her first annual report Edith Smith said, “I was officially appointed as a policewoman by the Watch Committee. I immediately found that I was in a better position for carrying out the work than previously, the official appointment made such a vast difference, and in consequence the whole of the duties were performed in a much better and more satisfactory manner.”

Edith said she got to know the bad girls of the town personally and that she was able to ‘distinguish them from the professionals from adjacent towns, who flock through the streets at night.’

MISS TEED AND EDITH RECEIVED 28S (£1.40) PER WEEK AND MERELY CHANGED THEIR WOMEN POLICE SERVICE CAP BADGES FOR THE TOWN ARMS OF GRANTHAM SHOWN ON HER WARRANT CARD...

Overall, the cases handled by the WPS in 1916 are as follows:

100 wayward girls cautioned, 15 larceny cases of women and girls, 16 drunk women cautioned, 10 prostitutes proceeded against and convicted, eight prostitutes placed in institutions, 10 prostitutes handed to parents, 50 prostitutes cautioned, two disorderly houses proceeded against and convicted, 20 disorderly houses suspected and under observation, five affiliation cases assisted, 18 respectable girls assisted during temporary stay in town and getting them back home, one fortune teller charged and convicted, two women charged and convicted under the Defence of the Realm Act, five respectable women assaulted, five girls placed in institutions owing to unsuitable home surroundings, 24 illegitimate baby cases, 10 black lists at theatre and picture houses, 10 dirty houses reported to the sanitary authority or RSPCC, one charged, one convicted, and 100 cases advised and helped.

The Women’s Police Service handled a total of 411 cases in 1916. By June 1916, Miss Teed had resigned and Edith continued to work alone in the town. In April 1917 the Watch Committee voted to raise her weekly pay to £2.10s (£2.50). This was more than the oldest male constable in the force and raised a few questions.

Alderman Lee defended the decision.

“Mrs Smith did entirely different work to the men. Her duties were most onerous. When they engaged her, her work was to be particularly amongst the women and children.”

“She was also doing rescue work among the girls, and looking after troublesome homes, saving many cases from coming to police court; she was the healer of many breaches.”

“She was a very intelligent woman and gave wise counsel; and perhaps it was unknown to the members of the Council that her front room was quite a consulting room for the womenfolk of the town who sought her advice and instruction.”

“Being a qualified nurse, she was able to render very valuable service. Altogether her work was really outside that of an ordinary police constable, and therefore

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she did not want to rank as the same practically. She was contented and satisfied; her whole heart was in her work and she was a faithful policewoman.”

Edith took no holidays, had no days off and worked night and day as required, but received no overtime or pension.

In October 1916 there was a sign that the family were together again when her daughter Frances was married at St Wulfram’s church to Sergeant VG Weekes, an instructor in the Machine Gun Corps at Belton.

Sergeant Weekes was promoted Sergeant Major on his wedding day and Edith, in her policewoman’s uniform, gave her daughter away. Edith’s youngest daughter Emily was a bridesmaid.

By the end of 1917, Edith was tired.

She had worked non-stop for two and a half years. In her resignation letter of 4th January 1918 to the Chief Constable she said her ill health was due to ‘chest trouble which becomes worse in the winter owing to late hours in the fog and the damp.’

In this letter Edith said she was ‘indebted to the help and assistance of the male (police) force and to the public’ during her time in the town. Edith returned to nursing and became the matron of the Lindis Nursing Home in Grantham.

Edith Smith was a great campaigner, talking at conferences about her work and she toured Scotland showing the authorities how women police might succeed, based on her own experience. She wrote:

“War time has created another opening for such women as are specially suited to the work.”

“There is no question as to their usefulness on the Force, given the right woman and a good training, consisting of drill, police law and etiquette, combined with previous proficiency in one or more of the following: typewriting, first aid, midwifery, nursing or experience of district work as health visitor, school teacher or inspector.”

“EDITH SMITH WAS A PIONEER FOR WOMEN IN POLICING. WHAT SHE ACHIEVED WAS REALLY QUITE OUTSTANDING AND SHE PROVED HOW VALUABLE AND POWERFUL WOMEN COULD BE IN THE POLICE SERVICE AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS ABSOLUTELY UNHEARD OF...”

Edith moved to Runcorn in Cheshire to work for a Nursing Association, but died from a self-induced overdose of morphine on 26 June 1923.

Grantham Civic Society has erected a Blue plaque to our Pioneer Policewoman in Edith Smith Way on the wall of the original police cells between the Guildhall and Grantham Museum.

The plaque was unveiled by DCC Heather Roach on 19 October 2014 and in December 2015 Home Secretary Teresa May paid tribute to Edith in a speech at the British Library when she apologised that her own department had first challenged the appointment of female police officers.

We spoke to Deputy Chief Constable Heather Roach, based at the Police Headquarters in Nettleham, Lincoln.

“I feel it’s important for as many people from as many different backgrounds as possible to be in the police service, and that includes women,” says Heather.

“Times have changed and policing is no longer a male dominated environment as it perhaps was 40 or 50 years ago.

Female officers are now rated on their performance in their professional roles rather than their gender - as indeed all officers are - and that’s something to be celebrated.”

“I joined Lincolnshire Police in 1987 and I’ve seen a number of changes during my time as a police officer ranging from the daily business of how we deal with incidents through to the policies and procedures involved.”

“One of the most important things about the Police Service is that we continue to evolve and enhance the way we police, meaning we constantly learn from past practice.”

reports were handwritten and the crimes themselves were very different.

We have emerging offences like cyber-crime and honour based violence, which were pretty much unheard of a number of years ago.

“I definitely feel like women are treated equally to men in the service. I personally have never felt like a ‘woman’ doing this job, but I have simply felt like an equal to other officers and peers.”

“As long as you are fit, able, appropriately trained and qualified, you can do the job of any other officer in the force, regardless of your gender.”

“Edith Smith was an absolute pioneer for women in policing. What she achieved was really quite outstanding and she proved how valuable and powerful women could be in the police service at a time when it was absolutely unheard of.”

“She spent time getting to know the people in her area and thoroughly understood the concept of ‘neighbourhood policing.’ I’m incredibly proud to say that I have followed Edith in her footsteps.”

Courtney and Janet will meet Edith’s family later this year as they come to the county to commemorate the pioneer policewoman, Edith Smith.

Left: The Edith Smith plaque on the side of the old police station in Grantham.

Below: Janet Roworth, joint author, researcher into Edith Smith's life and a volunteer for the National Trust at Belton House, and Courtney Finn, chairman of the Grantham Civic Society.

“When I started out the technology was incredibly different, for example most

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A local relationship with one of the world’s strongest banks As a modern bank with traditional values, Handelsbanken specialises in providing a wide range of personalised banking services. In the Lincoln branch, as in the branches across the UK, the bank’s simple aim is to provide the best possible customer service – staff have no sales targets and products are flexible, allowing branches to tailor product solutions to customers’ unique needs.

Regarded as one of the world’s strongest banks*, Handelsbanken’s decentralised approach empowers the branch to make decisions locally. This means customers benefit from genuinely bespoke banking and swift, clear decisions. We aim to build strong, long lasting relationships where you only ever deal with people you know, and who know the area and local market inside out. Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has over 850 branches in 25 countries, more than 200 of which are based in the UK, with the Lincoln branch serving the community for over seven years.

Aby Barker, Individual Banking manager at the Lincoln branch comments: “Our banking model offers our individual banking customers a very different approach to personal service, and is immensely popular with our customers. This is supported by the fact that the bank has been rated top for customer satisfaction for the seventh year running in an independent

survey of British banks’ personal and business customers**. In addition, we were awarded “FT-Investors Chronicle: Investment and Wealth Management Award 2015.

Val Brown, Individual Banking manager at Handelsbanken Lincoln added: “Our customers always deal with people they know at their local branch. We are not distracted by sales targets or bonus incentives. Everything we do is based on sound decision-making within the branch with a focus on longterm customer relationships.”

If you would like to discuss your personal banking needs over a cup of coffee, please call us on 01522 688440 or email us at lincoln@handelsbanken.co.uk * Bloomberg, July 2015 ** EPSI Rating, October 2015

We build our mortgages around you All homes are different. The same applies to the need for home financing.

Therefore we offer individual and flexible solutions for all your mortgage needs and requirements. We can find a financial solution to suit your needs whether buying a new home or remortgaging.

Aby Barker Individual Banking Manager Tel: 01522 688463 Email: abba01@handelsbanken.co.uk

Val Brown Individual Banking Manager Tel: 01522 688844 Email: vabr01@handelsbanken.co.uk

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

5 Henley Way, Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QR Tel: 01522 688440, Fax: 01522 688054 handelsbanken.co.uk/lincoln Handelsbanken is the trading name of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ). Registered Office: Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ), 3 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1WY. Registered in England and Wales No, BR 000589. Incorporated in Sweden with limited liability. Registered in Sweden No, 502007-7862. Head Office in Stockholm. Authorised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.

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- BRENDAN COLE -

Brendan Cole, Strictly Come Dancing star, will be coming to the county not once, not twice but three times this month with his brand new theatre tour A Night to Remember.

Grimsby Auditorium, Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall and Grantham’s Meres Leisure Centre will be three of the venues on Brendan’s third production, set to be the biggest and best yet.

We spoke to the New Zealander in January to discover where his dancing ability and passion began and what his sell out show has to offer.

“Dancing is something I’ve done from the age of six,” says Brendan. “My mother took me to dance lessons with my brother and sister, but we also went to a number of other clubs and sport sessions - I barely had a spare afternoon as a child.”

“But my hobby soon started to grow into more of an interest, once I started to improve.

Dancing was just part of my life that became something I do for a living as I became better and better at it.”

“One by one, I stopped playing the different sports as I grew older. My passion for dancing became stronger. I would hang up my football boots for the end of the season and in the following year they wouldn’t come back out, whereas dancing didn’t have seasons so I just kept going and never really stopped.”

“I flew over to the UK to represent New Zealand for the World Youth Ballroom Dancing Championships, and that is when it first hit me that I could have a career as a professional dancer.”

“As part of the trip, I stopped off in London.

This was the home of ballroom dancing at the time. It was where most of the main teachers in the world were, certainly more than I’d ever seen. I went to a studio in south London one night - it no longer exists but at the time, it was the place where people used to go to practise before the major competitions like the British Open in Blackpool. Many, many people were practising for this one particular competition when I visited. I walked in and just thought to myself, I want a piece of this and I want this experience.”

“It was that moment that gave me the drive - seeing 50 couples sweating in a summer heat in the studio, having a great time and doing

what they love to a standard I had never seen before.”

“I wanted to see if I would make it in the world so I made the decision then and there to move to the UK within a year just before my 19th birthday, with a one-way ticket to see if I could do it.”

“There were times where I didn’t have enough money to eat, enough money to dance, but it was at that time in my life where you decide to stick it out or pack it in and go home.”

“I chose to stick it out, and there were four or five occasions in the early years where I had to tell myself, no you’re not going back, you have come this far, you can’t give up now - so I didn’t.”

I can’t say I prefer one to the other. But I enjoy dancing and the competition, although it was very exciting to be a judge.”

“Strictly is from August through to December, and that’s a six or seven day a week commitment. In January through to April, I do the theatre tour. I’m not a dancer as such anymore - it’s more of a career in entertaining now. In the old days, when I was competing, it would be a full time job to keep on top of dance practice, but I’m 12 years away from that now.”

“I’ve been touring the theatre show for the past six years, and we’ve done 250 shows around the country with three productions.

The past two were called Live & Unjudged and License to Thrill.”

BRENDAN COLE’S

NIGHT TO

Remember

STRICTLY COME DANCING PERFORMER BRENDAN COLE WILL BE COMING TO SEVERAL VENUES ACROSS LINCOLNSHIRE THIS MONTH WITH HIS FLAMBOYANT FLAMENCO AND TERRIFIC TANGO; IN MARCH HE BEGINS A NEW THEATRE TOUR, ‘A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...’

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing is what Brendan is most famous for. It’s the biggest show on the channel, with 11 to 12 million viewers on average. He won the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing with celebrity news reader, Natasha Kaplinsky.

He was also a judge alongside Craig Revel Horwood - Strictly’s harshest judge - on the show Dancing with the Stars in New Zealand.

“Dancing and judging on the two shows are both very different roles,” says Brendan, “So

“The third show that we’re doing this year is called A Night to Remember and it will be the second time we’ve toured with it. Over the years, I’ve probably visited Lincolnshire 30 or 40 times. We play the Grimsby Auditorium, De Montfort Hall in Leicester, Baths Hall in Scunthorpe and in Grantham.”

“I’m looking forward to the performances in the county - I always feel like the further up north we go, the better the audience seem to be.”

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- BRENDAN COLE -

“ ANOTHER GREAT STRICTLY PARTNER, JO WOODS, WAS A LOT OF FUN. A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE DANCER - AND SHE WON’T MIND ME SAYING SO - BUT WE HAD A LAUGH...!”

“It will be the same show as last year but we have a few extra cast members, a few tweaks and a few extra numbers but essentially it’s the same show as last year.”

Brendan has danced in all 13 series of Strictly and has had 13 very different partners over the years.

“I can’t pick a favourite dance partner, but Sophie Ellis Bextor was a great dance partner in Series 11. We got to the final, we got on very well, and I think the choreography I did with Sophie was my favourite throughout my time in Strictly. Every dance we did together, I was very proud of.”

“Kirsty Gallacher, my last partner, was lots of fun, Kelly Brook, Lisa Snowdon, Sunetra Sarker, we all had a lot of fun. Jo Woods back in the day - a terrible, terrible dancer and she won’t mind me saying so, but we had a great time together!”

“Strictly and touring both have their merits.

I suppose with Strictly, you’re a small part of a very big production, but it is a very big production. I love being on the show, and I feel very much a part of it for being on Strictly since it began.”

“But with the tour, because it’s my show, I’m a very big part of it. I organise the content, the dancers and everything to do with the show basically - I invest a lot of time into it.

I’m in charge so it makes it a little bit more personal to me.”

“If you like Strictly, you’ll love the show. All of the performances you see on Strictly, whether it would be an Argentine tango, waltz, quick step or a salsa, all the dances you learn to love from the TV show will be shown live in front of you. It’s essentially An Evening With...”

“We have 22 cast members, all of which are on stage - 14 band members who are superb musicians and are a show by themselves, and eight dancers, each one being just phenomenal and they each bring their own excitement to the stage.”

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“The best way to describe the show is that there’s never a dull moment. Right from the outset, there’s pyrotechnics, a very full-on pasodoble for the first number, then straight into an Argentine tango which is very vibrant, moody and sexy. The mood lifts to quite a contemporary, upbeat number, which is then brought back down by a very romantic rhumba.”

“The general idea of the show is to get audience members walking away from it feeling uplifted and as if they were a part of it, and they are as we involve the audience in the show. By constantly changing it, reinventing it, and keeping the energy high throughout the show, the emotions of the audience are felt.”

“There’s a really emotional section which is a Viennese Waltz called Cinderella, and it’s just so romantic and the choreography tells the story beautifully.”

“The touring takes up a lot of my time and we will be working on the new tour this year too. It will take about a year to put it together. I would love to reveal the name of it, but tour names are the hardest parts of the tour to create! So I have nothing just yet.”

“So I’ll be working on the tours and I’ll be doing what comes up - for example, last year I was in a TV show on learning how to herd sheep! But I’m still loving what I’m doing so there’s no point in changing just yet.”

“The audience are a huge part of the shows, I tell them Strictly anecdotes, involve them in the show - they really are at the forefront.

There’s a Q&A in the middle of the show where they can find out a little bit of backstage gossip. n For more information and to book tickets to see Brendan’s show, visit www.bathshall.co.uk for his Scunthorpe performance, visit www.demontforthall.co.uk for his Leicester show, visit www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk or www.1life.co.uk for Grantham or see opposite.

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BRENDAN’S

LOCAL SHOWS

DE MONTFORT HALL

On Wednesday 9th March, Brendan will come to De Montfort Hall in Leicester.

Tickets are priced £27.50 £37.50. Concessions are £25.50 - £35.50.

n Visit www.demontforthall.co.uk or call 01162 333111.

GRIMSBY AUDITORIUM

On Saturday 12th March, Brendan is at the Grimsby Auditorium. Tickets are £25 - 37.50, £3 off for concessions.

n Visit the website www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk or call 03003 000035.

GRANTHAM MERES

On Friday 18th March, Brendan visits Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. See website for ticket information.

n Visit www.1life.co.uk or call 01476 581930.

BATH’S HALL

On Wednesday 25th March, Brendan will come to Bath’s Hall in Scunthorpe. Tickets are priced £27 - £34.50 (booking fee may apply).

n Visit www.bathshall.co.uk or call 08448 542776.

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What’s On...

THE BRIGHT GREEN ENERGY SHOW

Find out What’s On this month with events taking place in many different venues across the county. March is a month that’s packed with Easter events to share with family and friends...

THE DRESSING ROOM

Sunday 28th February A new play written by Bobby Ball is going out on tour this year with an all-star cast including Bobby Ball, Tommy Cannon, Stu Francis and more. One of the venues they’ll be visiting will be the Stamford Corn Exchange, £17 - £19.50/pp.

01780 766455, www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

THE MAGIC FLUTE

Wednesday 9th March Live from the London Coliseum in stunning HD. The Magic Flute is one of the greatest and most popular operas ever written.

It’s going to be screened at Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, £13 - £15/pp.

01427 676655, www.microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tac

ROMAN POSTERNGATE TOUR

Tuesday 11th March A rare opportunity to explore part of Lincoln’s Roman South Wall which is now hidden under a city centre bank - with a guided tour from experts at The Collection in Lincoln.

01522 782040, www.thecollectionmuseum.com

DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE WEEKEND

Wednesday 12th - 13th March Entry to many of Lincoln’s and the surrounding area’s attractions and activities will be free of charge during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend from 12th to 13th of March.

01522 782332, www.visitlincolnshire.com

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Monday 7th - 12th March A mix of exhibition and local firms offering help with energy saving and renewable energy generation at the Bright Green Energy Show at Stamford Arts Centre, trying to make Stamford sustainable.

01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com

- EASTER -

EASTIVAL

Wednesday 23rd March This is a vibrant festival of arts over the Easter holidays across four of Lincoln’s top cultural venues, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, Lincoln Drill Hall, Terry O’Toole Theatre and The Collection, providing workshops, films, music and theatre.

01522 837600, www.lpac.co.uk

POP-UP EASTER CRAFTS

Tuesday 29th March 3D Easter and spring pictures, using some of the techniques used in pop-up cards. Have a go using paper, card, pens, crayons and a few bits and bobs like feathers and sequins to create and decorate a pop-up Easter bunny, chick or flowers, £7/child.

BACH’S ST JOHN PASSION

Saturday 12th March Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion will be performed in Lincoln Cathedral by the Baroque Players of London Leader, Nicolette Moonen, and the Lincoln Cathedral choir, £15 - £20/pp.

01522 561600, www.lincolncathedral.com

HIDDEN GEMS OF THE HALL

Saturday 12th March Gainsborough Old Hall are offering you a chance this month to visit the Hall for free and book onto their fascinating tours led by costumed guides. From ghosts to graffiti, there are many interesting stories about it.

01522 561600, www.lincolncathedral.com Lincoln Romans...

01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com

EASTER OPENING

Tuesday 29th March Deene Park will be opening for Easter.

With the house open, visit a much loved family home at Easter and take time to enjoy a stroll in the lakeside gardens, covered with daffodils and narcissus. The newly refurbished Old Kitchen tea room will be open and serving light lunches too.

01780 450278, www.deenepark.com

LICMF’S WONDERLAND

Saturday 12th March Wonderland is a brand new project created by Ashley Wass and Matthew Trusler of the Lincoln International Chamber Music Festival to raise money for the Lenny Trusler Children’s Foundation, performed at the Stamford Arts Centre, £10 - £16/pp.

01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com

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Send your press releases and events to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

CONTINENTAL MARKET

Thursday 17th March Produce from around Europe will be on offer for ‘trying and buying’ at the Continental Market on Lincoln Cornhill and along the High Street, organised by Lincoln BIG on the 17th March.

01522 545233, www.lincolnbig.co.uk

SOUL & MOTOWN NIGHT

Friday 18th March Enjoy a three course meal followed by a disco in the stunning ballroom of the DoubleTree by Hilton along Lincoln’s Brayford with live soul and motown hits on the 18th March.

01522 565197, www.doubletree3.hilton.com

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES

Friday 18th March One of the world’s most iconic tribute bands continue to draw critical acclaim from across the globe with their stunning recreation of the greatest songbook of all time at Bath’s Hall in Scunthorpe, £29/pp.

08448 542776, www.bathshall.co.uk

SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE

Saturday 19th March The most dynamic 60s show touring the UK. This is a must see 60s extravaganza.

For one night only, all the hits performed by five of the most popular artists of the 60s played at Grimsby Auditorium, £28.50.

08448 713016, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

LICMF perform Wonderland this month...

Easton Walled Gardens...

- HIDDEN ENGLAND -

EASTON WALLED GARDENS

Tuesday 1st March Gardens open for the season on Sunday March 1st 2015. Open four days a week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays until the end of October. Spring is the perfect time to experience the gardens.

01476 530063, www.eastonwalledgardens.co.uk

BURGHLEY HOUSE

Saturday 19th March Burghley House re-opens! On the 19th March, the house and gardens will re-open until the end of October. This year’s exhibitions, included in your House and Gardens ticket, will be Capability Brown at Burghley, and The Georgians at Burghley.

01780 752451, www.burghley.co.uk

GRIMSTHORPE CASTLE

Thursday 24th March The Head Gardener is furious at Grimsthorpe Castle. Bunnies have moved into the gardens and they are planning to eat all of the vegetables. You can help him by looking for the little rabbits. Collect your special pack from Grimsthorpe’s gift shop and start searching on a family fun day exploring the castle.

01778 591205, www.grimsthorpe.co.uk

Grimsthorpe Castle...

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What’s On...

- LINCOLN MARKETS -

FARMERS’ MARKET

Friday 4th March Just a few metres from Lincoln’s busy High Street, the City Square Farmers’ Market is the perfect way to add a taste of Lincolnshire to your weekend.

ARTISTS’ MARKET

Saturday 5th March Nestled between the Cathedral and Castle, the Artists’ Market offers visitors the chance to view and buy a variety of beautiful, hand-crafted, and unique pieces of artwork and crafts.

CRAFT MARKET

Saturday 12th March Lincoln’s craft market offers bespoke, hand-crafted ornaments, jewellery and pottery that is available to peruse and purchase at this intimate market.

CONTINENTAL MARKET

Thursday 17th March Produce from around Europe will be available for people wanting to try and buy food from great cheeses to ostrich burgers at this market on Lincoln’s Cornhill and High Street.

FETE ON THE STRAIT

Saturday 19th March The Strait will be full with stalls, arts and crafts, local produce and activities including face painting for kids.

ANTIQUES MARKET

Sunday 20th March Browse and buy antiques, art and collectables from the Lincoln Antiques & Collectors Market taking place on Castle Hill, the perfect setting for such a historical market.

Bailgate Wedding Fayre Photo credit: Lincolnshire Echo

THE RAT PACK

Saturday 19th March Every song’s a winner with the likes of Come Fly with Me. Volare, That’s Amore, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Mack The Knife and many more with the Rat Packs’ Vegas Spectacular Show at Lincoln Theatre Royal, £20/pp.

01522 519999, www.lincolntheatreroyal.com

THE JUNGLE BOOK

Saturday 19th March You may think you know the story of the Jungle Book, but Indigo Moon Theatre bring you a surprisingly good twist in the form of shadow theatre to Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham.

01476 406158, www.guildhallartscentre.com

BAILGATE WEDDING FAYRE

Sunday 20th March Find out how Lincoln can make your big day extra special at the Bailgate Wedding Fayre. Lincoln’s Bailgate in the Cathedral Quarter boasts heritage and jaw dropping architecture, ideal for a wedding.

01522 563298 wwwbailgateweddingfayre.co.uk

OLIVER!

Monday 21st March Nothing works on stage like a well-crafted tale, and Oliver is just such a show. Based on the Dickens novel, it will engage you, while delighting you with its musical numbers at the Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham, £8/pp.

01476 406158, www.guildhallartscentre.com

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Send your press releases and events to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac...

REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER TWIST

Tuesday 22nd March Packed full of surprises for a modern audience, Red Earth Theatre’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’s masterpiece has a colourful cast of larger than life characters at the South Holland Centre in Spalding, £7.50/pp.

01775 764777, www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

Friday 1st April Join five of the world’s top illusionists with 16 million views online between them, for a night of mystery that’ll keep you guessing for a long time to come, held at Lincoln Theatre Royal.

01522 519999, www.lincolntheatreroyal.com

JAMES MARTIN

Wednesday 2nd March Celebrated chef and TV personality James Martin announces his first UK tour, Plates, Mates & Automobiles. The tour marks 20 years since James first starred on our TV screens, and he’ll be doing cooking demonstrations with special guests at Grimsby Auditorium.

08448 713016, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

AN EVENING WITH LULU

Wednesday 23rd March Recognised as the world’s leading Fleetwood Mac tribute show plus guest appearances from Fleetwood Mac’s guitarist Rick Vito, this show is not to be missed, at Bath’s Hall, Scunthorpe, £22.50/pp.

Saturday 12th March The incredible Lulu still has plenty to shout about and is back with another fantastic tour stopping by the county at Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham/£35. We interviewed Lulu in the January edition of Pride as she revealed some exclusives...

COMEDY CURRY 2016

BRENDAN COLE

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

08448 542776, www.bathshall.co.uk

Friday 25th March Now in its fifth year, the Comedy Curry at the Lincolnshire Showground is sure to spice up your night with curry, naan bread and poppadoms, and a side order of laughs and entertainment, £16/pp.

01522 522900, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

01476 406158, www.guildhallartscentre.com

Thursday 17th March Always a sell out, Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole is once again set to dazzle audiences across Britain with his latest show called A Night to Remember, at Bath’s Hall in Scunthorpe, £28.50 - £36/pp.

08448 542776, www.bathshall.co.uk

Thursday 31st March Join Alice and her friends on an adventure in Wonderland this Easter! Joining Alice is the Mad Hatter, played by Britain’s Got Talent finalist and YouTube star Philip Green, at Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough, £8/pp.

01427 676655, www.microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tac

James Martin...

Elton John in Lincolnshire...

- LOOKING AHEAD -

ELTON JOHN

Friday 10th June He is one of the most recognised, most decorated and bestselling British artists of all time, and on 10th June 2016, Elton John will be performing a one-off show on his Wonderful Crazy Night tour at the Lincolnshire Showground.

01522 522900, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk

NEWARK FESTIVAL

Friday 17th - 19th June Newark Festival sees a line up of the best tribute acts in the country enjoyed with a drink or two and some amazing live music. Saturday has an all star 80s line-up including Tony Hadley, ABC, Midge Ure and Bananarama.

01636 555666, www.lizhobbsgroup.com

THE LINCOLNSHIRE SHOW

Wednesday 22nd - 23rd June An event that’s in almost every Yellowbelly’s diary, the Lincolnshire show celebrates the county with an eclectic mix of entertainment, food, shopping, music and farm life and this will be later on in the year. It’s a superb family day out which is thoroughly recommended.

01522 522900, www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk

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4/5 Star Self-Catering Accommodation in Rutland

SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE FOR WINTER Please visit our website or call the office for details

Rutland

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Park Lane, Greetham, Rutland LE15 7FN

Call now on 01572 813520 www.rutlandluxurylodges.co.uk

Each with: Private Gardens • Hot Tubs • Saunas • Luxury Kitchens • • Outdoor Furniture • One or Two Bedrooms • Use of Swimming Pool

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g n i r e v o D isc

LINCOLN

ENTRY TO MANY OF LINCOLN’S ATTRACTIONS PLUS A HOST OF ACTIVITIES, WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE DURING DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE WEEKEND ON THE 12TH AND 13TH MARCH A GREAT TIME TO EXPLORE THE BEST OF LINCOLNSHIRE ...

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre

Hartsholme Country Park

Discover the history of aviation and the fascinating story behind RAF Cranwell at this Lincolnshire venue.

It also offers flight simulators, a video theatre, aircraft on display and many different exhibitions on throughout the year. Entry to the centre near Sleaford is free.

■ NG34 8QR, 01529 488490, www.cranwellaviation.co.uk.

The Usher Art Gallery

This is one of the region’s premier art galleries located near the Collection in Lincoln. They host a number of contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year and display a large collection of fine and decorative arts. They also regularly put on talks and shows.

■ LN2 1LP, 01522 550965, www.thecollectionmuseum.com.

Covering over 200 acres, Hartsholme Country Park is a brilliant patch of green space to the south of Lincoln.

Walks, cycle rides, lakeside views, ornamental gardens and wildlife watching is what the park has to offer. Join local RSPB members for a guided walk around the parks.

■ LN6 0EY, 01522 873577, www.withamvalleypark.co.uk.

Guildhall & Stonebow

Forming an archway over the main high street, the Guildhall and Stonebow is usually home to City Council meetings and the heritage of Lincoln’s local politics. It will be open for the weekend for free guided tours offering the opportunity to see artifacts like the sword of Richard II. ■ LN1 1DH, 01522 873303, www.visitlincoln.com.

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Discover Lincolnshire

Sleaford’s Navigation House

A unique attraction to Lincolnshire, Sleaford’s canal company office, the Navigation House, is now a museum for the history of travel and trade by canal. It has many interactive exhibits and offers something different to your usual family day out. It also hosts exhibitions.

■ NG34 7TW, 01529 305904, www.navigationhousesleaford.co.uk.

St Katherine’s Heritage & Cultural Centre Interactive displays, inspirational exhibitions and a programme of festivals and events is what St Katherine’s Heritage and Cultural Centre can offer. The centre is housed in the fully restored church of St Katherine. It offers a timeline of the history of the site.

■ LN5 8DW, 01522 579490, www.visitlincoln.com.

National Centre for Craft & Design

This is the home of British craft and design based in Sleaford. The NCCD is the largest venue in England entirely dedicated to the exhibition, celebration and promotion of national and international craft and design. Up to 20 world class exhibitions are held here annually.

■ NG34 7TW, 01529 308710, www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk.

Tour Lincoln Sightseeing Buses

The 2016 season for Lincoln's open-top sightseeing bus will launch on Discover Lincolnshire Weekend.

Tours with live commentary are free all day on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March 2016 from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last tour leaves the Cathedral at 3.30pm).

■ LN2 1PX, 01522 545458, www.visitlincoln.com.

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Discover Lincolnshire

Witham Valley Country Park

This is a connection of green spaces in Lincoln rich in wildlife and history, perfect for walking and cycling and even horse riding. There’s a collection of around 11 wildlife parks in this area, bringing our flora and fauna to the outskirts of the busy city of Lincoln.

■ LN6 0EY, 01522 308146, www.withamvalleypark.co.uk.

The Ellis Windmill

The Ellis Mill is the last of nine windmills that once stood on Lincoln’s hill top and was the last working mill in Lincoln. It’s considered to be the perfect example of a small tower mill. It’s still in full working order and provides flour. You can have guided tours of the mill too.

■ LN1 3LY, 01522 528448, www.visitlincoln.com.

Lincoln Castle Free Tours

There will be free guided tours of Lincoln Castle grounds on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March throughout the day at different times. You'll learn all about the history of the castle and how it has been used over the past 1,000 years, completely free of charge.

■ LN1 3AA, 01522 782040, www.lincolncastle.com.

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The Lincoln Arboretum

The Arboretum is a beautful park right in the city centre. Its most recognisable feature is the red Victorian bandstand and Victorian garden style, being designed and laid out in the 1870s. Enjoy lakes, fountains, bridges, gardens and a children’s play area this weekend.

■ LN5 7AY, 01522 873423, www.visitlincoln.com.

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ing r e v o c s i D Discover Lincolnshire Food Festival You will be able to discover the delicious tastes of Lincolnshire on Saturday 12th March at the Discover Lincolnshire Food Festival at St Marks Square in St Marks Shopping Centre, Lincoln. It brings together some of the county’s best farmers and producers.

■ LN5 7EX, 01522 575240, www.stmarks-lincoln.co.uk.

LINCOLN Museum of Lincolnshire Life

Cadwell Park Open Track Day

This is the largest and most diverse community museum in Lincolnshire celebrating the rich and varied history of the county. Enjoy free entry to this museum in the Cathedral Quarter and go on a journey from 1750 right through to the present day.

■ LN1 3LY, 01522 782040, www.visitlincoln.com

Taking your bike to ride on the iconic racetrack starts at £105 per person but entry to the circuit is free during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend to spectators and the clubhouse will be open from 7:30am - 5pm for refreshments. You can book to ride on the course the website.

■ LN11 9SE, 08434 539000, www.cadwellpark.co.uk.

The Little Red Gallery

This independent art gallery in the Cathedral Quarter boasts a collection of national and up and coming artists. Whether you are looking for a gift or have a space on the wall that needs filling, the Little Red Gallery between the Castle and Cathedral is the perfect place.

■ LN1 3AE, 01522 589134, www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk.

The Collection Museum

Whisby Park and Natural World Centre

A beautifully designed and award-winning archaeology museum based in the Temple Gardens near Usher Gallery will also be open throughout Discover Lincolnshire Weekend. There’s a huge variety of historic exhibitions held at The Collection so well worth a visit.

■ LN2 1LP, 01522 550990, www.thecollectionmuseum.com.

With six miles of footpaths around many ponds and lakes and the Natural World Centre, Whisby is a great day out and fun to enjoy completely free of charge this weekend. Once a gravel pit, the nature reserve is now managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and it’s now full of animals.

■ LN6 9BW, 01522 688868, www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk.

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- BELTON HORSE TRIALS -

Jumping for Joy at the

Belton Horse Trials The Burghley Horse Trials dominate autumn in our area, but for those who can’t wait to enjoy some equestrian excitement in the form of 2* and 3* eventing, this month’s annual Belton Horse Trials is an occasion not to be missed...

Thousands of visitors from all over England are expected to flock to Belton again this year for the annual International Horse Trials and family fun day.

“The Belton International Horse Trials has built a reputation as an event which has something to appeal to everyone, whether from town or country,” said Alec Gordon, General Manager of the National Trust, in Lincolnshire.

The box office is open, the jumps are being built, and the applications for shopping space are flooding in. Belton Horse Trials 2016 already promises to be the best yet.

Spread over three days (from 15th to 17th April) the event includes a wide range of activities from a Classic Car display to a 10km charity run and a new Interactive Zone which will be on the park all weekend.

Whatever you want from a day out in the country, Belton 2016 has it to offer with more family entertainment than ever before (and not all of it involving horses!).

This year’s schedule also includes an inter-hunt relay, a family fun fair, stallion parade, over 100 trade stands, a family dog show and an exhilarating high gate jump competition.

FUN FOR THOSE WITH TWO OR FOUR LEGS Family fun is a major theme at Belton this year. With a traditional fun fair, family interactive zone, mounted Pony Club games and a classic car display there is something for everyone to enjoy.

And don’t forget the dog! Bring them along to the Jerry Green Dog Show to compete for the happiest dog prize on Sunday. Or if a more fast and furious activity is your dog’s thing, have-a-go at some agility on our purpose built course.

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Eventing Stars come to the Belton Horse Trials...

With Olympic Team selection at the forefront of everyone’s minds organisers are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best event riders and their top mounts to Lincolnshire and the Belton International Horse Trials next month.

Belton provides a really fabulous competition in a beautiful setting giving team selectors the perfect opportunity to scope out potential team members. A good run at Belton this

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year could mean the difference between going to Rio and being left at home.

The hotly contested 2015 Grantham Cup CIC 3* saw the likes of Sir Mark Todd, Clark Montgomery, Paul Tapner, Andrew Nicholson and Nicola Wilson among many other top names battling it out over Captain Mark Phillips’ testing course.

The Rio Olympic Games in 2016 will begin on Friday, 5th August and end on Sunday, 21st August.

With the addition of the world’s most talented and competitive eventers immersed in the final stages of their Olympic campaigns fighting it out over the big and bold cross country courses, Belton 2016 has more to see and do than ever before.

For three days in the middle of April, the beautiful Belton House Estate, just off the A1 on the outskirts of Grantham, is transformed into a hive of activity.

Whether you are looking to sample the nail biting fast and furious Pony Club mounted games, the trail-blazing inter-hunt relay or the 100+ shops or even to enter your four-legged friends in the Jerry Green family dog show, Belton has it all.

Belton’s reputation for offering a fantastic array of trade stands continues to grow

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- BELTON HORSE TRIALS -

for 2016 with more applications than ever before.

Attracting a huge collection of many well-known brands such as British clothing brand Joules plus ‘new brand on the block,’ Noble Outfitters and including every local craft from locally produced food to bespoke made saddles and much, much more in between, Belton’s wonderful trade stands will keep even the most professional of shoppers busy for hours!

Another packed event schedule is in preparation, with three days of demonstrations, displays and have-ago’s, over 100 trade stands and extra competitions adding further interest to one of the country’s leading CIC3*s.

As in previous years, children under 15yrs with accompanying adults can get into the event for free.

Advance adult admission prices start at £8 for Friday 15th, with the most popular advance tickets for Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th starting at just £15 online now.

Those who enjoy National Trust membership can access the lowest priced advance tickets available. Don’t forget that Belton boasts cross country and show jumping on all three days of the event!

Tickets and details of the three-day programme are now available via the event’s website. Special early bird rates are available for those who buy tickets online.

n The Belton Horse Trials take place from 15th-17th April. For enquiries, call 01949 829 061 or see www.belton-horse.co.uk.

FIND OUT MORE...

When: The Belton Horse Trials takes place from 15th-17th April, with gates open from 8am.

What can I see? Friday sees traders opening for the first time over the weekend, BE Novice Classes and Under 18 Novice classes, as well as the 2* and 3* Dressage.

Saturday includes the Listers Mercedes Networking event. There’s 2* show jumping, 2* cross country, as well as BE intermediate and advanced dressage, ‘have a go’ dog agility and Pony Club mounted games.

Sunday’s event includes a classic car show, 10k run, The Grantham Cup 3* cross country and showjumping elements as well as BE advanced show jumping and cross-country.

How much is it? Advance online tickets from £8/adults, £2/children Friday; £15/adult, £5/child Saturday; £15/adult, £5/child Sunday.

Season ticket £32/adult, £10/child.

Where is it? Belton House, Grantham, use postcode NG31 9SQ.

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The ULTIMATE Combat Gaming Experience Airsoft is a military simulation game similar to paintball. It costs a lot less to play, it hurts less and uses realistic looking replica weapons.

Two unique sites and different styles of gaming.

Fight in and around buildings or in the woods and undergrowth.

The games run with two teams, each are given objectives which they have to try and achieve.

Competitive Prices Private, corporate and open days catered for.

01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk www.freefirezone.co.uk Designed by email: games@urbanassault.org.uk Airsoft Shop www.fire-support.co.uk

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e m e r p u S

DINING Previously an inauspicious looking roadside restaurant, The Supreme Inn’s owners in 2010 created a new, award winning dining experience in Bicker offering a cosy environment and satisfying food. Enjoy this Supreme dining experience...

The coming of spring is a real treat after a bleak chilly winter, and compels us all to venture out and enjoy a fresher, more optimistic mood.

Regardless of if and when the better weather comes along, though, you’re certain to feel a little more upbeat, merely by paying a visit to Hotel Supreme in Bicker.

It’s the sister hotel of the village’s Red Lion, but a little less rustic, and both have won myriad awards for the quality of their food and the amount of locally source products used in their dishes.

Main Course: Pan fried duck breast with pommes boulanger, dark cherry jus and seasonal vegetables.

In 2010, its new owners revamped a roadside motel and installed an excellent Head Chef, Evan Owen, as well as a great front of house team, allying with Select Lincolnshire, too, in order to champion local produce - little wonder, as the owners are a prominent local farming family.

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Left: Chorizo stuffed pork belly with crackling, creamy mash, red wine jus and seasonal vegetables.

Bottom: Pea and ham terrine on potato salad bed.

Opposite: Trio of pan fried scallops with butternut squash purée and dill.

“Whilst The Red Lion offers a more rustic feel, Hotel Supreme’s dining is slightly more formal. Its provision of food is enjoyed by locals, hotel residents and tourists alike...

wonder, does that leave Hotel Supreme?

The division of the main dining room into individual areas, the comfortably upholstered dining chairs and the assortment of vases and other knick-knacks ensures that dining at Hotel Supreme is almost like dining in a friend’s home.

Whilst it’s by no means a stuffy dining experience, there’s a smartness about the Hotel Supreme which is a little more formal than its more rustic stablemate, and this is reflected in the food, too.

Below: The hotel reopened in 2010 under its new owners, a prominent local farming family.

Behind the scene a local farming family have transformed the hotel to showcase and highlight the best local food and farmed produce. The aim was to create a great place for people to experience high quality food and service whilst also ensuring local jobs for people within the area.

The hotel reopened in 2010 and was a precedent for the its owners, Green Welly Inns, to also renovate and reopen The Poachers Country Inn, a wedding and events venue, a year later, then its quality pub restaurant, The Red Lion, just down the road in the village of Bicker in 2012.

Whilst The Red Lion offers a more rustic feel, Hotel Supreme’s dining is slightly more formal. Its provision of food mostly serves residents, as well as businesspeople and those on their way to the Lincolnshire or Norfolk coastlines.

The award winning Red Lion does a roaring trade as a cosy country pub, so where, we 54

Head Chef Evan Owen produces award winning food that is stylish and makes the most of Lincolnshire ingredients. Evan is also responsible for also ensuring Hotel Supreme’s food has its own unique style. À la carte dining takes place seven days a week, from 6.30pm-9.30pm, in the main dining room. With six starters, five main courses and three grill options, these are more formal dishes.

There’s also a bar menu which runs from 10am-9.30pm and on Sunday from 4pm, after Sunday lunch service. Options on this menu include satisfying quality-oriented pub favourites. With sausage & mash, fish & chips and homemade pie all featuring, these options are ideal for an informal lunch.

If your appetite is a little more modest, there’s also the option of traditional sandwiches, baguettes and hot baps, plus a selection of homemade cakes served with fresh coffee from Mandy’s Coffee of Boston.

Finally, there’s a steak night promotion on Monday and Friday with a set three course menu for £14.95, and an early doors menu until 6pm for £7/one course, £11/two courses, £15/three courses. Diners can stay over at the Supreme, too, with a ‘stay and

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“We’re really lucky to find ourselves in one of the best locations in the country for local quality produce,” says Helen ...

dine’ option for £99. A loyalty card scheme plus live music nights and the option of two private dining rooms for private parties increases the hotel’s appeal further.

Our recommendation is the à la carte menu of dishes like the pan fried duck breast featured on our opening spread, served with a dark cherry jus, or the chorizo stuffed pork belly pictured on the previous page.

Leave room, too, for one of Evan’s homemade desserts - like our featured poached dark chocolate cake with orange and Cointreau, served with a homemade pistachio ice cream.

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Local suppliers contributing to Evan’s efforts include Boston butchers Bycrofts, Grimsby’s M&J Seafood, Peterborough Game and The Lincolnshire Game Company of Swineshead, as well as John Hull of Sutterton who provides fruit and veg from the fields surrounding the hotel.

There’s probably nobody better than a farming family to create a restaurant.

Those who grow food tend to have a healthy respect for it, and allying with Select Lincolnshire means joining a community of farmers, food producers and restaurants who are keen to promote the very best that the county has to offer.

It’s hard to believe that Hotel Supreme once offered little more than fast food, but we’re grateful that the place now satisfies a new role as one of the area’s best ambassadors for local food.

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Sample Dishes STARTERS

Goats Cheese

Baked goats cheese wrapped in filo pastry with plum and fig chutney.

£6.50

Pan friend scallops with butternut squash purée and dill, crumbled black pudding and cured ham shard.

Scallops

£7.95

Pâté

£6.50

Duck and port pâté with plum and apple chutney and melba toast.

MAIN COURSES Pork Belly

£14.95

Pan fried duck breast with pomme boulanger, dark cherry jus and seasonal vegetables.

Duck Breast

£15.95

Fillet Steak

£22.95

Chorizo stuffed belly pork with crackling, creamy mash, red wine jus and seasonal vegetables.

Locally sourced fillet steak with homemade onion rings, roasted peppers and shallots, cherry tomatoes and homemade chips.

DESSERTS Apple Crumble

Apple, pear and cinnamon crumble with créme Anglaise.

£5.95

Chocolate Cake

£5.95

Cheese Board

£7.50

Poached dark chocolate cake with orange & Cointreau, and pistachio ice cream.

A selection, with biscuits, and chutney.

Find Out More:

Supreme Inns Boston, Bicker Bar, Bicker, Boston, PE20 3AN Dessert: Poached dark chocolate cake with orange & Cointreau, and pistachio ice cream.

Tel: 01205 822804 www.supremeinns.co.uk www.greenwellyinns.co.uk

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COME & ENJOY OUR MOTHERS DAY TREAT on Sunday 6th March

TREAT MUM & THE FAMILY TO A DELICIOUS SUNDAY LUNCH ON HER SPECIAL DAY

2 Course £15.95 & 3 Course £18.50 with a special treat for mum.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

FULL DINING MENU AVAILABLE EVERY LUNCH & EVENING Visit our website for all our latest offers

Riby Rd, Stallingborough

Nr Grimsby, N/E Lincs DN41 8BU

Tel: 01469 561302

events@stallingboroughgrange.co.uk www.stallingboroughgrange.co.uk

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- RECIPES -

g n i t a r b e l e C

LINCOLNSHIRE’S

BEST FOOD A NEW RECIPE BOOK AIMS TO CHAMPION THE COUNTY’S BEST FOOD AND INTRODUCES KEEN COOKS TO SOME OF THE COUNTY’S FOOD PERSONALITIES, TOO...

A new recipe book aims to celebrate Lincolnshire’s vibrant food and drink scene and introduce some of the county’s best chefs and food producers.

The Lincolnshire Cook Book is in shops now, with more than 35 fantastic recipes from some of the county’s best independent restaurants, cafés, delicatessens, pubs, farm shops, producers and suppliers.

The 128-page full colour cook book features guest recipes from a few well-known local faces such as TV chef Rachel Green and twice Great British Menu winner Colin McGurran of Winteringham Fields.

The book offers recipes, stories and anecdotes from well-established businesses, newcomers and the personalities behind the vibrant Lincolnshire food and drink scene.

Featuring recipes from the award-winning restaurant at beautiful Elizabethan country estate Doddington Hall, legendary Lincoln restaurant Jews House, local hangout Bunty’s Tearoom and farm shop Uncle Henry’s, there’s something to whet every foodie’s appetite. San Pietro, Scunthorpebased fine dining restaurant, is featured in The Good Food Guide and has produced three recipes for the book.

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From Rachel Green’s venison cutlets, to Stokes Coffee’s scones and RJ Hirst Butchers Lincolnshire sausage and onion marmalade plait, there are plenty of options to suit every palate.

n Over the next few pages, producers Meze Publishing have allowed us to share with you just a few of the recipes featured in the book. The first of these is Louth based butcher Meridian Meats’ Lincolnshire Pig Fry. Jim Sutcliffe is pictured above.

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Lincolnshire Pig’s Fry

Four People

For the Fry: 100g pork, diced • 100g pigs liver, sliced 100g pigs kidney, diced • 2 medium onions, sliced 1 clove of garlic, crushed • 1 large cooking apple, cored and chopped • Handful of fresh sage leaves, chopped n.b.: save one-third for the dumplings • 1 litre stock, pork if possible • Lincolnshire rapeseed oil • 2 tbsp plain flour Sea salt and black pepper. For the Dumplings: 100g self-raising flour • 50g beef suet • 4-5 tbsp cold water • Chopped sage leaves, saved from the fry. For the Mashed Potatoes: 3-4 potatoes, use a good mashing variety such as Desiree • 200g salted butter • 50ml double cream • Sea salt and black pepper Heat a glug of rapeseed oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish with a lid and sweat the onions and garlic gently without browning.

Whilst the onions sweat, put two tablespoons of plain flour into a large plastic bag and season with salt and pepper. Place the diced pork, liver and kidney into the bag, holding the top tightly before shaking well to coat the contents.

Remove the softened onions from the pan. Turn the heat up, adding a little more oil if necessary, brown your floured meat. Add the onions, along with the apple, the stock, two-thirds of the sage leaves and a season of salt and pepper. Put the lid onto your casserole dish and place into a low oven, the bottom oven if using an Aga or set at 140°c. Cook for 3-4 hours.

Once your pigs’ fry is cooked, begin to make the dumplings and mash. Start by preparing your potatoes. Peel and dice into two inch pieces.

Steam them until soft for 20-30 minutes.

To make your dumplings add the flour, suet, remaining sage, and water to a bowl, with a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients to form a dough. Divide the dough into eight and gently form into small balls with floured hands. Place the dumplings on top of the simmering fry, replace the lid and return to a hot oven at 180-200°c for 20-25 minutes.

For the final five minutes remove the lid to allow the dumplings to crisp. Whilst the dumplings finish cooking in the oven, drain the potatoes and mash, adding the butter and cream until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper. Once your dumplings are well risen and crisp, you’re ready to serve.

Available Now: The Lincolnshire Cook Book retails at just £14.95 and will be available in all of the businesses featured in the book as well as select local gift shops and book shops including Waterstones and online at www.amazon.co.uk.

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- RECIPES -

Sausage and Onion Marmalade Plait

• 500g Curtis’ of Lincoln quality puff pastry • 800g RJ Hirst Lincolnshire Sausage Meat • Two Fairburns Local Free Range Eggs, lightly beaten • Jar of Patteson’s of Grimsby Onion Marmalade

Begin by lining a large baking tray with two layers of baking parchment and preheat oven to 180°c fan.

Cut your puff pastry block in half and roll each section out until 40cm long x 20cm wide. Divide sausage meat into four sections. Add a layer of sausage meat along the centre of your pastry rectangles leaving a 3cm gap from the top and bottom and a 4cm gap on either side.

Spoon on half a jar of the onion marmalade and spread all over the sausage meat. Add the remaining halves of the sausage meat on top of the marmalade to create a second layer. Make downwards sloping cuts about 1cm apart along the pastry on either side of the meat. You should be able to get 14 cuts on either side. Brush the beaten egg mixture all over the pastry.

Starting at the top, fold down the pastry over the meat filling and then alternately fold the strips over to create a plait, working your way down to the bottom. Finish by folding the bottom over the remaining meat to seal neatly.

Repeat with the second plait and then carefully lift both plaits onto your lined tray. Glaze all over with your beaten egg to get a golden brown finish in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes to one hour until pastry is golden and puffed up and meat is cooked thoroughly.

Sadie Hirst of R J Hirst Butchers.

Photography by Marc Barker, Tim Green and Sam Bowles.

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An award-winning family owned restaurant, San Pietro is situated in Scunthorpe and based inside a stunning Grade II listed 18th Century windmill with luxurious boutique-style interior.

Owned by Michelle and Pietro Catalano, the two made a formidable team when pairing Michelle’s background in interior design with Pietro’s exquisite Mediterranean cooking to create a restaurant experience that has won them a number of prestigious accolades since they opened 2003.

Sicilian born Pietro has spent his life ‘cheffing in Michelin star kitchens everywhere from Rome to London and for the past 10 years has worked tirelessly alongside two-star Michelin pedigree Head Chef Christopher Grist to create a menu that takes the best ingredients of Lincolnshire to concoct delicious French, Spanish and Italian inspired artisan dishes.

There’s heart and soul to be found in San Pietro, both in the homely Lincolnshire setting and rustic Mediterranean food which caters for those seeking the warm of the Mediterranean.

Crab Linguine

Six People

550g linguine pasta • Extra virgin Olive Oil • 3 lobsters boiled prepped and cleaned (vacuum frozen raw lobsters can also be used) • 250g baby plum tomatoes, washed and quartered • 3 cloves of garlic finely sliced • ½ deseeded red chilli, finely chopped • 30g cold salted butter, halved • Flat leaf parsley • Salt and Pepper

Pietro Catalano and wife Michelle opened Scunthorpe’s San Pietro in 2003. Here, he presents his crab linguine recipe.

Heat a pan of salted water to a rolling boil. Once all fresh ingredients have been prepped, add the pasta to the hot water. While the pasta begins to cook, heat a large frying pan with good quality olive oil.

Add the lobster shells and roast in the frying pan to impart flavour. Throw in the sliced garlic and chilli and gently saute to soften taking care not over colour the garlic.

Place the quartered tomatoes in the pan and allow to cook, whilst also adding the lobster pieces and head meat into the mix; gently warm through.

Add butter and parsley to emulsify the sauce.

Available Now: The Lincolnshire Cook Book retails at just £14.95 and will be available in all of the businesses featured in the book as well as select local gift shops, book shops including Waterstones and online at www.amazon.co.uk.

Drain the pasta approx. Two minutes before the finished cooking time and then add to the pan; retaining some of the salted pasta water for later Simmer the pasta in the lobster sauce, tossing the pan gently. Ladle a small amount of the sauce to the pasta water. The starch will help to give a creamy consistency.

Keep tossing the pan gently and place the final half of butter into the contents of the pan. Check the seasoning and serve onto warmed plates, garnished with the claw meat and retained pieces of shell.

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- RECIPES -

There’s something quite chic and nostalgic about sipping English tea with a delicious slice of cake but no one quite serves up a better cuppa than Bunty’s Tea Room in Lincolnshire.

A vintage inspired traditional tea room which opened in 2012, Bunty’s Tea Room is the brainchild of Jenny Lock and Matthew Fellgate.

What truly sets Bunty’s apart from the rest is their selection of homemade cakes which use combinations of unusual flavours for a delicious taste experience that would make Mary Berry proud.

Jen regularly experiments with exciting new concoctions for her signature bakes, using non-traditional ingredients such as Pimm’s, Dandelion and Burdock and even Marmite – with chocolate.

Bunty’s Pimm’s Cake For the Cake: 450g caster sugar • 450g self raising flour • 450g softened butter • 2 tsp baking powder 8 large eggs • 8 large strawberries, chopped 16 fresh mint leaves, chopped • 3 tbsp Pimms For the Buttercream: 250g softened butter 500g icing sugar • 3tbsp Pimm’s For Decoration: 8 large strawberries • 10 fresh mint leaves • ½ cucumber, sliced with peeler, 3 tbsp strawberry jam

Heat your oven to 180°C, then lightly grease and line two 10 inch cake tins. Cream the butter and sugar together until light in texture and colour.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Next, add the flour, eggs, baking powder and Pimms and mix until thoroughly combined.

Fold in the mint and strawberries, then transfer mixture to sandwich tins and bake for 30 minutes.

For the buttercream, mix icing sugar, butter and Pimms and mix until pale. Once the cake has completely cooled spoon the jam onto the top of one sponge.

Matthew Fellgate and Jenny Lock of Bunty’s Tearoom, providing a slice of nostalgia half way up Steep Hill in Lincolnshire.

Spread the buttercream on the bottom of the second sponge and carefully place one on top of the other.

Spread the remaining buttercream onto top of cake (with optional piping). Decorate with cucumber, mint leaves and strawberries.

Available Now: The Lincolnshire Cook Book retails at just £14.95 and will be available in all of the businesses featured in the book as well as select local gift shops, book shops including Waterstones and online at www.amazon.co.uk.

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All photography

by Marc Barker, Tim Green, Sam Bowles.

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The Original Cake Company provides fruit cakes for John Lewis’s hampers.

Proving that fruit cake is not just for Christmas, this special brandy, fruit and nut loaf cake is The Original Cake Company’s specialist recipe. Rich, fruity and moist, it’s the perfect addition to any dining table or tea party, serving six to eight people.

Brandy, Fruit & Nut Loaf Cake

For the Cake: 500g sultanas • 75g glacé cherries cut into chunks • 100ml brandy • 85g softened butter • 100g soft brown sugar • 1tbsp black treacle • 100g plain flour; sifted with half tsp mixed spice and 2tsp baking powder • 2 medium eggs • 30g chopped sultanas.

For the Topping: 12 whole glacé cherries • 8 walnut halves • 40g whole blanched almonds This recipe makes two whole loaves - one for you, and one for a friend, perhaps. Soak the sultanas and cherries in the brandy overnight.

Heat the oven to 160°c and line two 1lb load tins with greaseproof paper.

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl together until light and fluffy. Stir in the black treacle and gradually add the eggs, along with a little of the flour mixture.

Fold in the remaining flour mixture and gently stir in the walnuts and soaked fruits, along with any of the remaining liquid, until fully incorporated into the mix, to create a batter.

Spoon the butter into the two prepared fruit loaf tins and level the top of the cake with the back of a spoon. Top the cakes with the cherries and nuts.

You may need to cover the top of the cakes with foil during baking to prevent over-browning on the top of them.

Bake the cakes in the oven for around one hour, or until they are firm to touch. Insert a fine skewer into the cake to see if it comes out clean.

Leave the cakes in the tins for 30 minutes before removing and cooling on a wire rack. Once cool, the cakes can be stored in an airtight container.

The best way to serve is to slice with a serrated knife, using a sawing action, and wiping the blade with each cut before plating.

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The Wine

Spoil mum with some ‘mother’s ruin’ this month we’ve some premium gins, as well as Prosecco, champagne and a light, fruity red wine. All of this month’s recommendations are perfect Mother’s Day treats, suggested by our wine writer Harish Khanderia...

1. Montenisa Franciacorta Brut Antinori, £26.95

The Antinori family have been producing wine in Tuscany for six centuries - 26 generations!

Their Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc sparkling wine provides superb traditional method fizz with a crisp apple fruit is given richness by part-barrel fermentation and extended time on the lees.

2. Château de Pampelonne Côtes de Provence Rosé, £17.50

A supple, elegant rosé, with a complex, sharp bouquet and a powerful, fruity palate.

From the winery’s 50 hectare family estate located, facing the sea at Pampelonne bay, it’s a symphony of Syrah, Grenache, and Cinsault.

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3. Ruinart Rosé Champagne Gift Pack, £69.95

Spoil mum with this fruity and aromatic rosé champagne.

With two beautiful flutes, the wine’s nose offers a subtle and fresh, aroma of tropical fruits, whilst its flavour is fresh and subtle, ripe with cherry and freshly picked red berries, followed by a splash of flowers and spicy notes.

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Cellar...

4. Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin, £ 37.95

Local distillery Warner Edwards uses handpicked Queen Victoria Rhubarb to give them the best flavour and soften the plant using their still. The fabulous juices produced are combined with their award-winning Harrington gin to create a unrestrained gin bursting with flavour. Subtle hints of sweet spice, vanilla and nutmeg are followed by classic juniper,

5. Monkey 47 Gin, Germany, £42.95

A premium gin, Monkey 47 (with no fewer than 47 Botanicals & 47% ABV) exceeds expectations. Small batch production, and molasses-based spirit.

Distinct scents of citrus and lavender notes accompany the botanical sweet aroma, creating a unique opening to the gin.

6. Lost Angel Pinot Noir, California, USA, £13.49

Lost Angel offers a fruit-forward yet food friendly style that packs as much punch as the packaging. Silky and smooth, this Pinot Noir has strawberry and plum aromas, complimented by spicy pepper.

There’s a blend of riper, fruitier flavours with an interesting Pinot earthiness.

n Our featured wines are available from Lincolnshire’s leading independent wine retailers, prices are correct at time of going to press but may vary according to each retailer.

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- MOTHER’S DAY -

Gift

IDEAS...

DAY Mother’s

Spend Mother’s Day locally, by visiting a luxury hotel for afternoon tea, or buy her something special this year like theatre tickets or luxury items from Oldrids & Downtown...

Above: Bring back the good old days with this Roberts Revival Retro Radio £159.

Right: Perhaps something she can have in the home, and something she will be able to treasure forever like this London Clock Company Arch Top Skeleton Mantel Clock £75.

Left: If it’s a fragrance you’re looking for, we recommend Dolce & Gabbana’s Intense £69.

Right: Cross Classic Century Medium Fountain Pen Lustrous Chrome £45.

THEATRE

Book something to look forward to, and give her the tickets on Mother’s Day. We recommend Elton John at the Showground on Friday 10th June (01522 522900, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk) and the Lincolnshire Show on the 22nd and 23rd June at the showground.

Celebrities like Lulu and Brendan Cole are coming to the county this month too, so if your mum’s a fan of Relight My Fire or Strictly, visit Grantham’s Guildhall to book tickets for Lulu and see the exclusive interview with Brendan and details of his visit in this edition.

Afternoon Tea...

Many local hotels offer afternoon tea on Mother’s Day. We recommend The Comfy Duck at Grimsby (08443 876312, www.oaklandshallhotel.co.uk) and The Petwood Hotel based in Woodhall Spa (01526 352411, www.petwood.co.uk).

Right: Bring a smile to her face with this Ted Baker cushion, offering a little something she can keep in the home £45.

Left: If your mum is an avid baker, you can’t really go wrong with Mary Berry’s very own cake tin set in light grey £35.

n All of the featured items are from Oldrids & Downtown, www.oldrids.co.uk, 01205 361251.

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Riding &

RENOVATING

THIS MONTH, WE’VE DISCOVERED A PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM RUIN TO RENOVATED: A TRUE FOREVER HOME. AVID EQUESTRIAN AMANDA WALKER, HAS RE-DESIGNED HER BARN, SURROUNDED BY WILDFLOWER MEADOWS AND PADDOCKS, AS A HOME FOR HER FAMILY, AND HER FOUR LOVELY HORSES, TOO...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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- HOMES -

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Converting a barn is a desire for many people but it is no mean feat, as Amanda Walker and her husband know too well. Taking on The Barns in Haceby was a challenge to say the least but the couple tackled it at full force, making a purpose-built home without cutting any corners.

“We were searching for our ‘forever home,’” says Amanda. “We wanted to do a barn conversion but we were really struggling to find the ideal location and barn for us at the right price.”

“We were living in Leicestershire at the time so we decided we would have to cross to A1 to get a good value barn to convert. After searching for two and a half years, we finally found The Barns in Sleaford in 1997.”

“We really did have to start from scratch.

It was literally falling down and in ruin.

We took one of the ridge beams down for our own safety when working on the property and the interior walls just crumbled!”

“We believe the property was built between 1840 and 1860, used as cattle barns and a crew yard. In WWII, part of the roof Main: The kitchen’s central island has a small vegetable sink, built in microwave and bins and plenty of storage facilities. It makes a very impressive feature!

Above: The living room’s main feature is a lovely inglenook fireplace, acting as a centrepiece to the room.

“We had been searching for our ‘forever home’ for two and a half years until we found the Barns in Sleaford, offering the perfect barn conversion opportunity...”

collapsed which is when the previous owners converted it, making it a single floor rather than two. In 1980, it became redundant, as did the neighbouring farmhouse, so it was essentially left to rot.”

“We had to rebuild the walls that had caved in, change the layout in some cases, sort out the roof, plumbing, electrics, install a kitchen, the bathrooms and of course, embark on a full re-decoration.”

The hardwood entrance door now opens to a large hallway which leads to the ground floor bedroom, study and library. The open plan lounge/diner features an inglenook fireplace and stove as its centrepiece and lots of exposed stonework and flagged floors.

French doors open to an impressive heated 77

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- HOMES -

indoor swimming pool with exposed timber beams and south facing windows to the garden, and double doors opening up onto the crew yard, perfect for summer parties.

“The pool is 11m x 4m with a 3ft shallow end and 6ft deep end,” says Amanda. “We wanted quite a deep deep end in case we wanted to do aqua aerobics or anything like that.”

An iron winding staircase leads from the dining area to a first floor gallery and bedroom.

“The farmhouse style kitchen room is well fitted with bespoke handmade cabinetry, a pantry, a central island and a wealth of exposed timber,” says Amanda. “The central island also features a small vegetable sink, built in microwave oven and plenty of storage.”

“The worktops are sycamore and black granite. There is a utility room and a laundry or tack room opposite in an outbuilding that also contains the oil fired central heating boiler.”

Above: The bathroom has an ornate Victorian style bath with beautiful golden features.

Main: Amanda has made the principal bedroom keep the same bold red theme but this can easily be redecorated by the future owners if they wish to do so.

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“The indoor swimming pool has floor-to-ceiling windows and double doors that open up to the crew yard...”

A study/bedroom and two bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms are at ground floor level in addition to a library whilst the first floor features a master bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and en suite bathroom as well as a further bedroom with its own shower room en suite.

A long outbuilding to the north of the main house has three stables and a self-contained single storey cottage with a kitchen and living room area, bedroom and bathroom.

The outbuilding also features a large six bay garage with a gardener’s toilet.

These buildings could be renovated to provide a separate home subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission to do so.

The property is approached through electric remotely operated gates and a driveway leads to a generous parking area.

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- HOMES -

There is a large barn providing ideal storage and workshop facilities. Amanda said that the building was well insulated so it would be perfect for a car workshop or more stables if the next owners needed it. The barn is currently being used as a storage facility for farming machinery.

Beautiful private gardens are at the side and rear of the property alongside wildflower meadows.

“The wildflower meadows could easily be transformed into really beautiful gardens,” says Amanda. “Sadly, I’m no gardener, so someone with a strong interest in horticulture could make the most out of the space.”

Amanda currently rents a 15-acre paddock home to her three horses and foal, immediately to the west of the property. This is subject to a Business Farm Tenancy which will be due

Above: The indoor pool has a 3ft shallow end and 6ft deep end. The Barns are also home to four beautiful horses in the 15-acre paddock just next door.

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for renewal in August so if the next owners don’t wish to carry it on, they can decline.

“It’s great how rural we are too,” says Amanda. “Someone lives in the farmhouse next door but apart from that, there is countryside for miles around, ideal for horse riding down country roads or perhaps dog walks, but mostly ideal for panoramic views.”

“What I feel the next owners would appreciate the most is how well built the barn is. This was going to be our forever home so we didn’t cut corners and made sure it would be a home that would last.”

“The home is ready for you to simply walk in and live in the way it is, but there’s also plenty of potential for conversion and adding further properties to the site.”

“We’ve decided to start a new adventure in New Zealand and we are sad to leave the property behind. We hope the next owners will enjoy it just as much as we have over the years.”

The Barns, Haceby

Location: Sleaford 11 miles, Grantham 9 miles.

Style: Beautifully converted country barns surrounded by wildflower meadows and a 15-acre paddock.

Receptions: Five, currently arranged as breakfast room, study, library, diner/living room and dining room.

Beds: Five, all with en suites, one in the outbuilding, potential for sixth where the study or library is currently located.

Other Features: Heated indoor pool, paddocks, stables, wildflower meadow, barn and six bay garage.

Guide Price: £820,000

Find Out More:

Estate Agency: Fine & Country Tel: 01476 584164

Web: www.fineandcountry.com.

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ARCHITECTURAL

GARDEN ORNAMENTS

Enhance the look of your garden - with our stone troughs, urns, staddle stones and planters.

‘Finders’ service, delivery & collection available. Call 07773 997437.

PRE LOVED FINDS, LIGHTING, DISPLAY DOMES, SHELVES, HOOKS & MORE BESIDES...

ELIZABETH & STEVENS

BRING YOU: FUN, FUNCTIONAL, STYLISH, CHIC AND QUIRKY HOME, GARDEN AND GIFT IDEAS. RETRO,VINTAGE, OLD AND NEW FINDS SOURCED IN THE UK AND FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The Showrooms, Great North Road, Markham Moor, Retford DN22 0QU Telephone: 01636 822000

www.elizabethandstevens.com

Open daily Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Just off the A1. Free parking.

Please call us if you are making a special journey

RETRO, CANDLES, LEATHER CHAIRS, RECYCLED WOODEN TABLES & CHAIRS,

CAST IRON GATES, STREETLIGHTS, VINTAGE POST BOXES, ANTIQUE BITS AND BOBS, BRONZE SCULPTURE, BENCHES, GARDEN

SUPER CUSHIONS, BAR & GLASS WEAR, PICTURES,ART, OVERSIZED CLOCKS ,MIRRORS, URNS , PLANTERS, FOUNTAINS,

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STYLE Scandinavian Home

With its crisp colours and clean, geometric lines, Nordic style - known as Scandinavian or ‘Scandi’ - allows you to mix mathematically designed shapes with organic textures to add a modern, yet classical feel to your interiors...

Words: Rob Davis.

Main Image: Glenmore from Clarke & Clarke has been used to create this Scandi inspired sitting room, with white chair in Aviemore denim, footstool in Loch denim, sofa in Caledonia denim and curtain in Aviemore denim.

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“Scandi Style doesn’t mean introducing a stark white and light blue scheme to your room.

Nordic influences can be warm, comfortable and classical too,” says Heather Hocking from Wellingore based Aitch Interiors.

“Nordic or ‘Scandi’ styles are on trend this season.

Our main image shows a scheme comprising Clarke & Clarke’s brand new Glenmore collection. It’s styled here with a blue key colour, but is also available with cranberry, grey or heather colours

- HOMES -

too. The geometric lines and white base provide a lovely crispness without being too clinical.”

Also seen here is an image from the firm’s Chateaux collection (pictured right), with its damask fabrics accompanied by bold stripes, luxury animal patterns and intricate geometrics. Mustard, taupe, pink and blue fabrics are available in the same styles.

Heather can create bespoke chairs, curtains, cushions, and other furnishings to suit any home, modern or traditional.

Right: Aitch Interiors is the area’s exclusive stockists for the 120 shades of Mylands paints - it’s durable and flat, high quality paint. Used in this scheme (top/right) are Shoreditch, Artillery Ground and Acanthus Leaf, at £42/2.5l, £74/5lt with free delivery available via Aitch Interiors.

The Countryside collection from Clarke & Clarke also made its debut at Aitch Interiors recently (right) with these fabrics especially suitable for Lincolnshire’s rural home vernacular.

Three Ways with

CURTAINS

From the more formal, theatrical scheme shown top right, to this more relaxed, scheme (right), it’s the ideal look for an easyliving family home, demonstrating how the Scandi look can be adapted for a modern country look.

Bespoke soft furnishing specialists like Heather can advise on colourways and fabrics in each collection.

1. Pencil Pleat: A more relaxed heading.

Ensure fabric is distributed evenly, and that the fabric forms an even row of ‘pencils’

2. Double/Triple Pleat: Crisp and clean, this allows excellent stack back to allow more light to come into the room.

Get the Look...

4 Walls coloured in

3. Goblet Pleat: Suits formal areas like dining rooms. Classic look, for elegance and style.

Mylands heritage paints.

4 Bespoke curtains by

Heather either with eyelets or double pleats.

4 Roman blinds add extra dimension to windows. using cushions created y.

Above: Bespoke Loch in cranberr & ore nm Gle , Aviemore

4. Eyelet Heading: Modern style of heading for sitting rooms. Typically uses less fabric and tends to work out more economical.

Find Out More: Our interior design inspiration comes from Heather Hocking at Aitch Interiors, Wellingore Hall, Lincoln; 01522 810961, www.aitchinteriors.co.uk.

This month, Heather will provide a FREE one hour interior design consultation in your home (20 mile radius applies). Limited appointments, call now to avoid disappointment.

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- HOMES -

1.

2.

SPRING

HOME STYLE

WHETHER YOU’RE SEEKING A STYLE STATEMENT FOR YOUR SPRING HOME, OR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE, YOU’LL FIND SPRING HOME STYLE AT CLASSIC INTERIORS WE’VE SPOKEN TO THE SPALDING FIRM’S STYLE GURU, LISA WOODCOCK...

Words: Rob Davis.

3.

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4.

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5.

1. Children’s Ranges: For too long children have been left out of interior design. Now though, leading names in fabrics and blinds are falling over themselves to offer wacky prints.

Shown here is Tropical Blinds’s Wham, Crash, Zap, ideal for Playrooms and kids’ bedrooms. Lisa also has an array of Frozen, Roald Dahl and superhero fabrics and can easily instill in your child’s room anything from pirates to ponies, Disney to dinosaurs.

2. Tropical Prints: This is perhaps the most dramatic fabric from a popular look; the tropical theme. Shown here is Cockatoo by Elanbach. From botanical prints to dramatic designs with elephants, flora or fauna, small quirky rooms or sunrooms can benefit from a little jungle boogie.

3. Colour Movement: A trend for spring 2016 is colour movement. Shown here in Harlequin’s Amazelia, purples, pinks and oranges blend from one to another in a variegated design, making for a multi-colour experience that’s great against plain backgrounds.

4. Dogs and Deer: These are perennially popular in our county, a trend kick-started by Voyage, whose newest collections also feature stags and Highlands-inspired plaids. Shown here is Elanbach’s Finnian Stripe, featuring dachshunds, available in blue and multi-colour.

5. Blue is the Colour: Indigo will be popular this season.

Really popular. So popular, in fact, that the Little Greene Paint Company, for whom Classic Interiors is the area’s exclusive agent, has released an entire collection of 21 new shades, these include Camellia in Smalt from the firm’s 20th Century Wallpapers collection.

6. Love Your Louvres: From rollers to Romans, from verticals to Venetians, Classic Interiors are British Blind & Shutter Association members and can create bespoke blinds for any window, any space, any home. Shown here is Louvolite’s colourful Capri collection, where both opaque and translucent woven stripes slide past each other.

With over 110 years combined experience, Lisa Woodcock and her team are the names you need to know in Lincolnshire for curtains, blinds, bespoke soft furnishings or a comprehensive interior design service.

Stockists of the latest names in anything from affordable fabrics to luxurious wallcoverings, the firm’s bespoke approach even extends to being able to create custom-designed sofas and other furnishings for both domestic and commercial clients.

6.

For more information visit: Classic Interiors Cresswell Close, Pinchbeck PE11 3TY. Call 01775 711654 or see www.classiccurtainsltd.co.uk.

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Want your very own

LINCOLNSHIRE

LIBRARY?

Here is the solution to the hot topic of local libraries much debated at present. Buy your own!

The county is full of history and diversity, and every town and village has a story to tell. In so many cases these stories and historical reference points have been put into print.

In a digital age the appeal for books has never been greater.

The tactile nature of the product itself with fine tooled leather bindings or gilt cloth, marbled

boards and that certain smell and emotion evoked remains forever potent. The collecting and sourcing has never been easier with the internet and the ability to acquire with so many book auctions live on the internet.

Here are a few examples of Lincolnshire’s the county’s affordable titles and notable works sold recently at The Bourne Auction Rooms.

n Colin Young MRICS - Colin is senior auctioneer with the Lincolnshire Firm Golding Young & Mawer, established in 1864 and is a BBC Bargain Hunt antiques expert.

Greenwood’s famous map of the county from the survey of 1827 and 1828 in a strong Morocco slipcase sold for £420.

JS Padley’s The Fens and Floods of mid-Lincolnshire from 1882 sold for £180.

W Marrat The History of Lincolnshire Topographical, published in Boston in 1814 being a four volume set is a great example of value for money, selling for £280.

Sir Joseph Banks’ 1803 manuscript copy for Spalding Gentlemen’s Society realised £150.

Brown Willis’ A Survey of the Cathedrals of Lincoln, a first edition of 1730 aspired to £180.

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

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

Tel: 01507 527113 W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

Peter_jacksonCM

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Creating the Great

OUTDOORS

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION WITH THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR ESTATE, PROVIDED BY JULIA BLOCKLEY OF ELIZABETH AND STEVENS...

INTRODUCE PURITY Sculptures like this bathing beauty, in white composite stone, £215, help to create an impression that an area of your garden has been set aside for contemplation.

There’s nothing like the sound of water in a garden, and Elizabeth & Stevens, based on the A1 at Markham Moore, Retford, specialise in large architectural pieces such as these period fountains.

n ANIMAL MAGIC Animals create impressive statement pieces, with wild native species most popular, this wild boar is approx 1m long and 75cm tall, in cast iron £795.

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Each piece is reclaimed, a one-off design, and the firm always has a range of freestanding or wall fountains, available to view for immediate delivery or collection, example shown here £call.

n SMALLER SPACES Make the most of modest spaces by installing minifeatures like this wall fountain £call.

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- HOME & GARDEN -

ornate

architecture

This ornate iron gazebo weighs over a tonne and will look spectacular as a statement piece, creating somewhere to sit and admire the view; 4m x 3m, £5,600.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Outdoor lighting is essential for both security and convenience. Elizabeth & Stevens has a range of cast iron lamp posts with copper tops which are especially suitable for Victorian or Georgian properties. Pictured below is a 13ft (4m) street lamp, from £545.

Left: One of the company’s most popular offerings are its bronzes.

This stag is life size, £3,520, one of several in a realistic ‘family,’ with various poses available, e.g.: grazing.

For equine fans, consider this horse bust with a beautifully aged, rusty patina, £call, or a cast iron horse 140cm x 121cm £1,200.

n Find Out More: All of our featured pieces are available from Elizabeth & Stevens, Great North Road, Markham Moor, Near Retford DN22 0QU. Call 01636 822000 or see www.elizabethandstevens.com 91

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The Garden from a

FAIRYTALE This month, we’ve discovered a garden that resembles the scene of a fairytale at this time of year. Firsby Manor takes on a beautiful English countryside manor house theme in March to May, with bright blue fields of bluebells, yellow patches of daffodils and the odd spot of other bright flowers...

Words: Words: Tilly Tilly Wilkinson.

Wilkinson.

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- GARDENS -

Spilsby isn't just the home of a beautiful snowdrop garden; daffodils, bluebells, clematis and vegetables grow in the garden at Firsby Manor.

This is the home of doctors Gill and David Boldy. The couple moved to the county after discovering its beauty through regular visits to Gill’s brother who lived in the area.

“We always wanted to move to the countryside after living in the centre of Birmingham for so long,” says Gill. “We had a viewing at Firsby Manor on the 14th February 1993 and we just fell in love with the snowdrops in full bloom, and were set on buying the house from that moment.”

“It was probably a good thing that we had that view because the house needed extensive renovation. The oldest parts of the house date from the 1730s with later additions built in 1840.”

“Back in Birmingham, we had a beautiful Victorian house near the centre of town with a stunning garden. This is where my passion for gardening really began.”

“When we moved to Firsby, although the snowdrops looked absolutely beautiful, it wasn’t just the house that was in desperate need of renovation, the garden needed work too. We started with a blank canvas despite the pretty flowers. There were large areas of concrete and you were up to your neck in nettles walking around much of the garden.”

“We decided to reconstruct the garden using the existing wall and trees as the skeleton.

The garden is spread over three and a half acres so it took quite a long time to get the garden looking like it does now.”

“I’m very passionate about gardening and I do it whenever I have the time, but because of the size of the garden, we do have to have someone come in one day a week to help.

His name is John Adlard and we really

couldn't manage without him. He’s basically the grounds person of Firsby Manor.”

John keeps the garden tidy, Gill focuses on the planting and the design.

The garden is also home to a well-loved vegetable patch usually maintained by John, an expert on veg, but Gill and David also keep an eye on it.

“My husband David is becoming more and more interested in the garden. He retired last year so he has more time; he loves photography as well and is often in the garden taking photographs.”

“The flowers are beautiful at the moment.

The last of the snowdrops are blooming, dotted around the garden and the early daffodils are coming through.”

Gill is the chairman of the Lincolnshire Daffodil Society so she has an abundance of narcissi in the garden. They’re beautiful at this time of year, and with so many coming out early, the couple have been able to enjoy them for a lot longer.

“The way I would describe our garden is a cottage garden with rooms which are themed. At the front of the house the flowers are mainly white with a variety of foliage which suits the brickwork and the front of the house.”

“In the wooded area, it’s more of a fairytale woodland scene. You will find thousands of snowdrops, primroses, bluebells, forget-menots and some stray daffodils and tulips.”

“There’s a secret garden too surrounded by hedges of yew and laurel and a north facing wall providing shelter for many hostas. The south-facing side is very sheltered with plenty of sun, so it’s a good area to relax in the summer.”

“John keeps the garden tidy, Gill focuses on the planting and the design...”

The house had been unoccupied for some time before Gill and David moved in.

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- GARDENS -

The previous owners had planted many trees and also created a wildlife pond which gave them a marvellous structure to work on.

The house had been a working farm less than 15 years previously with a milking parlour and farmyard, so there was a lot of concrete to remove to create the secret garden. The original vegetable patch on the south-facing wall was moved and a red border planted.

It has taken a while to develop the garden to its current state and Gill and David wanted to share it with garden lovers whilst also raising money for charity.

“We were very proud to be accepted by the National Garden Scheme and opened for the NGS in 2015 for the first time,” says Gill.

“We will be opening on two dates this year; Sunday 12th April and Sunday 24th May.” “I have to say that May is the perfect time to see the garden, it’s definitely my favourite time of year. The garden is full of allium, geraniums, bluebells, forget-me-nots, clematis montana and other beautiful flowers.

“I have to say that May is the perfect time to see the garden, it’s definitely my favourite time of year. The garden is full of allium, geraniums, bluebells, forget-me-nots, clematis montana and other beautiful flowers...”

However, we like to open in April to show off the daffodils. Being the chairman of the Lincolnshire Daffodil Society, this is especially important for me. The different daffodil cultivars are not only beautiful, but they offer a chance for people to see them in full bloom before they decide to grow them themselves.”

Above: Firsby Manor at the start of the year is surrounded by daffodil cultivars.

Left: Bluebells are in abundance and you can see them if you visit Gill and David in April on their open day.

n Firsby Manor Gardens will be open on Sunday 12th April and Sunday 24th May from 1 - 5pm. £2.50/admission though children can enter for free. The couple offer homemade teas for guests and a walk around the garden. For more information, visit www.ngs.org.uk or call 01754 830386.

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Put a spring in your step this season and get into the garden with Gates...

Core gardening essentials, from bulbs and seeds to tubs, tools and sundries...

Gates Nurseries

& Garden Centre Somerby Road, Cold Overton, LE15 7QB 01664 454309 | www.gatesnurseries.co.uk

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n e d r a G e In Th SIX JOBS FOR MARCH AFTER A CHILLY WINTER, IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR GROWING GOING, ESPECIALLY IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN AND WILD FLOWER MEADOW...

Growing Wild You can sow wild flower seeds directly into well-prepared soils, or paddocks this month.

They’re ideal for attracting bees and butterflies, for a low-maintenance wildflower meadow which will self-pollinate next year.

Kitchen Garden A great opportunity to dedicate an area of your garden to growing vegetables. Sow spring onions, parsnips, carrots, broad beans beetroot and leeks into the ground now.

Summer Flowering Bulbs March is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs, from alliums and lilies to irises and renunculums.

Plant Lavender Plant herbaceous perennials now, lifting and dividing existing plants to ensure their health.

Thompson & Morgan’s Perennial Best Value collection (£19.99/72 plug plants), available from the firm, or local garden centres, will help to fill your borders.

Sowing Stocks Afford yourself the opportunity to get ahead of the summer months by starting off your stocks on a sunny windowsill.

The biennial flowers are actually a member of the brassica family, and will bloom in late summer if grown from seed indoors this month, before being transferred outdoors later in spring.

Sow Salad Leaves This month, sow salad leaves in pots and keep them on a sunny windowsill.

n Our recommended Garden Centres in Lincolnshire are Johnson’s Garden Centre on Wainfleet Road, Boston 01205 363408, Downtown Garden Centre at Downtown, Gonerby Junction, Grantham 01476 590239.

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MATCH

t e S e m a G

If you’re looking to spend the summer smashing, lobbing and enjoying the odd bowl of strawberries and cream, you’ll need a mini-Wimbledon of your own. Lincolnshire’s Dales Sports Surfaces can create a sporting venue in your very own garden...

How’s your backhand It’d probably improve no end, if you had a professionally surfaced court, and that’s exactly what Lincolnshire’s Dales Sports Surfaces can provide homeowners.

Based in Leverton, between Boston and Skegness, founder Dickie Dales was a joiner who fell into the niche specialism of creating timber floors for bowling clubs, then creating sports surfaces for tennis, football and other sports.

So, if you’ve fitness aims this spring and summer, it’s worth talking to the firm’s Contracts Manager Jim Rushby, a specialist in the creation of both domestic and commercial tennis courts. >>

Above: im ushby inspects one of Dales Sports Surface’s domestic projects.

Words: Rob Davis.

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Above/Left: The firm specialises in single sport courts for tennis, or multi-use surfaces.

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>> “About three quarters of our business is supplying commercial customers, but we can help households to turn a spare area of garden or a disused paddock into a multi-use area, or one specially designed to provide a professional tennis court experience.”

The firm uses either macadam, Matchplay II textile or EPDM (rubber) material, as well as painting the surfaces in a range of colours, installing fencing, tennis nets and so on.

Whilst the industry has standard sizes for installations, the firm can work with any plot to create a space to enjoy one specific sport, or many, with tennis courts from £15,000-£30,000 and multi-use synthetic sports surfaces reaching about £35,000.

“Our domestic customers come to us with both specific requirements, or with only a rough idea of how they want to use the space, seeking our guidance as to the material, budget and environment they want to create.”

“Best of all, homeowners are dealing with just one contractor throughout the process, with Dales Sports Surfaces taking care of the preparation of groundworks and using laser levelling

“OUR DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS COME TO US WITH BOTH SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, OR WITH ONLY A ROUGH IDEA OF HOW THEY WANT TO USE THE SPACE, SEEKING OUR GUIDANCE AS TO THE MATERIAL, BUDGET AND ENVIRONMENT THEY WANT TO CREATE.”

equipment to ensure a technically accurate installation that will look good and serve families well for decades.”

Headed up by the firm’s Managing Director Richard Steadman, and with Dickie Dales’s son Christian still involved directorially in the business, the firm can turn any space into a professional-quality facility.

Above: One of Dales Sports Surfaces installations near Boston, completed over winter, just in time for a spring and summer of - hopefully friendly competition!

If, however, you’ve an existing tennis court which has seen better days, the firm also has a repainting and restoration service which can see an area improved in terms of both quality and appearance, providing recreation but also maintaining an asset that can add value to your home for the future, too.

“Changing a tennis court to a multi-use one is popular with homeowners as it provides even more flexibility and means families are more likely to get the most from their surface in the summer months.”

“We insist on the finest quality products and workmanship to ensure complete customer satisfaction,” says Richard. “Whatever a customer is looking for we can discuss their requirements and can tailor our products to your needs, give us a call today.” n Dales Sports Surfaces works across Lincolnshire, providing both domestic and commercial customers with professional-level sporting areas. Call 01205 761066 or see www.dalessports.co.uk.

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- NATURE -

Opposite: Richard inspects one of his wildflower meadows.

Above: Specialist turf requires a specialist lawnmower...!

This beast is 10 metres wide and has no fewer than 15 cutting decks!

The Grass is Always

GREENER

Business is booming, and also blooming, for an unusual farming operation based in Lincolnshire. If you’ve ever wondered where the lush, green grass in your park, country estate or local golf course comes from, you’ll find the answer beneath your feet on 513 hectares of land near Lincoln used to grow turf on a huge scale...

As spring comes around it’ll soon be time to get the lawnmower out of the shed and complete the first cut of the season. If you consider it a bit of a chore, spare a thought for Alan Whiteley, who oversees the mowing of 513 hectares that’s 5,130,000 square metres - of grass, grown on farmland between Lincoln and Newark.

Business is booming for the turf supplier - or blooming in the case of its additional wildflower turf range managed by Richard Owens, Lincolnshire Pride’s nature correspondent and a former Conservation Greenkeeper of the year.

Words: Rob Davis.

Images: Joe Pask.

That suits Richard perfectly; as the Specialist Turf (golf and wildflower) manager, the company’s most unique products ally with two of his main interests.

A team of 25 people is led by Managing Director Simon Hutton, who purchased the company in 2012 from founder Tim, who retires later this year.

“Those who never considered that turf has to be ‘farmed’ might be surprised by the scale and diversity of the operation.”

The firm, Tiller’s Turf, grows turf on around 12 square miles of land and was established back in 1989 by Tim Fell. Back then, there were over 350 suppliers of turf, now, there are fewer than 130, and Tiller’s Turf is one of the largest. Mostly supplying general amenity turf (i.e.: public parks, domestic and commercial landscaping), the company also specialises in fine turf for golf courses, with the firm supplying turf for prestigious courses such as Wentworth during its west course re-design.

Alan, along with Joe Pask, takes care of day to day operations and together with Harvest Manager Ian Spray, the three are responsible for coordinating the production and harvest of no fewer than 60 fields and 14 different types of turf all through the year. No mean feat!

For those who never considered that grass has to be ‘farmed’ it’s a surprisingly large

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- NATURE -

scale and diverse operation. It’s also a fast-paced one, since the company’s turf is usually lifted and delivered within 24 hours.

Whilst all arable farming operations are challenging, turf has its own unique demands not least in the demand for perfect soil preparation. After the firm’s bespoke, self-steering harvesters have used their reciprocating blades to undercut the turf, automatically cut it to length, roll it up and stack it, the one square metre rolls are delivered to customers - usually home owners, professional landscapers and golf courses work begins almost straight away to produce the next crop of lush green grass.

In preparation the fields are ploughed to a depth of ten inches, then cultivated over two passes, the seed is then usually drilled in two directions depending on the cultivars used. The company’s 12 mile operating radius allows Tiller’s to take advantage of the region’s sandy, free-draining soils which offer a lighter loam, ideal for growing finer turf varieties, and one which drains very well - evident during our visit when the heavens had opened and given us a good English drenching!

Mowing is obviously a key operation, and Alan’s armoury of, let’s say, larger than normal, rotary and cylinder mowers make his life a little easier during the 12-18 months it takes for the turf to reach maturity and achieve a good root mass - the secret of exceptional strong quality turf. This summer the firm will take delivery of a new mowing monster in the form of a bespoke cylinder machine with an impressive 15 metre cutting width - that would certainly make very short work of most householders’ Sunday morning labour.

Turf hygiene is important, so both prior to and during establishment, the turf, is fed and treated to ensure that right up to the point of harvest, the impeccable, lush look demanded by golf courses and other customers is maintained.

“Only the best, most carefully selected grass seed is used at Tillers and blended to our own specification,” says Tim. “The exact composition of many of our blends is a bit of a secret, and that especially applies to our wildflower turf.”

Richard adds, “We source our wildflower seed locally, and just like the grass seed, we blend the varieties to our own specification.

Our native mixes are of UK origin, and are carefully chosen for not only their colour and variety, but also their value to our native pollinating insects.”

Simply throwing wildflower seed down is usually a poor way to establish a wildflower meadow, since weeds, grasses and wildflowers 106

Right: The west course at Wentworth was renovated using Lincolnshire-grown Tiller’s Turf.

Opposite: One of the firm’s state-of-the-art harvesters, designed to carefully lift turf for delivery to a client - usually within 24 hours!

Below: Finished rolls are nicely stacked, ready for delivery.

Bottom: The company was host to over 105 European turf producers at an open day in October.

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grow simultaneously, leaving homeowners with ‘all or nothing’ growth of undesirables alongside wild flowers.

For homeowners as well as commercial landowners, creating a wildflower meadow from seed is difficult but using turf, any area of the garden or grounds can be ‘instantly’ transformed into a lush wildflower meadow with scabious, cowslips, poppies, clover and buttercups amongst others - it’s a lowmaintenance way to encourage biodiversity and attract a host of wildlife to counter declining populations, and encourage pollinators to take up residence in your garden. Needless to say, then, it’s a real growth area for Tiller’s thanks in no small part to Richard’s conservation expertise.

“Conservation is on trend at the moment, but it’s practical too. Creating wildflower meadows reduces landscaping costs, reduces irrigation, mowing and labour, and also solves the problem of how to put to good use large public spaces to create ‘green’ areas,” says Richard.

The firm’s fleet of 13 John Deere tractors, five fine turf harvesters and 21 irrigators are busy all year round. The harvesters are especially busy during the winter months supplying the golf industry, and major landscaping projects not just throughout the UK but also Europe. Since buying the business Simon has been especially keen to invest in the latest state of the art equipment to ensure that Tiller’s maintains its unrivalled quality of product and customer service.

We’re tempted to say that the firm doesn’t let the grass grow under its feet, but we’ve been warned off such a clichéd pun by Tim, who’s clearly heard that one before. Instead, let’s just say that the firm is busier than ever.

“A perfect looking lawn is a peculiarly English matter,” says Tim whose own lawn is, he’s proud to say, ‘immaculate.’ So if you’ve ever wondered if the grass really is greener on the other side, the answer is probably yes - especially if you’ve got Tiller’s Turf underfoot, anyway.

n Tiller’s Turf is based at Thorney, near Lincoln, with agents for domestic supply across Lincolnshire. Call 01522 704949 or see www.tillersturf.co.uk. You can read Richard’s nature column each month in Lincolnshire Pride.

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- NATURE -

Nature A Close Encounter of the Bird Kind in

Richard Owens experiences a close encounter of the bird kind this month, after seeing a beautiful bird, the kingfisher on his way to work. Sporting a luminous blue back and an orange breast, this is a bird you don’t have to be an ornithologist to recognise and love...

Time really does fly doesn’t it as we approach that time of year again when we can start looking forward to longer days and hopefully the first signs of Spring. I’m sure it won’t be too long before we see the first Snowdrops of the year.

During the breeding season, both sexes will dig a tunnel into a steep riverbank or amongst the roots of a tree, which is usually around a metre long and terminates in a rounded chamber.

In April or May, six to seven white eggs are laid on the bare earth in the chamber, but after some time, regurgitated fish bones form a lining to the nest chamber.

On a more personal note, I know I’m very fortunate to work in an environment that connects me with the natural world on a daily basis, and then as a bonus I’m able to write and tell you all about it.

I tend to write these nature articles based on inspiration and personal experience and this month’s feature will be no different. When driving down the lane to my place of work, I have to pass a small irrigation lagoon, and this morning I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that caused me to pull up and take a second look. My instinct was rewarded with a close encounter of the bird kind!

Of course, there perched on an overhanging branch just yards away was that most iconic and unmistakeable of birds, the stunning and majestic kingfisher. Naturally, at this time my camera is nowhere near my grasp!

It would be fair to say that the kingfisher is Britain’s most colourful bird with its iridescent electric blue flight feathers and bright orange breast, but what else do we know about the blue blur as I’ve heard it described in the past? For those who have not been fortunate enough to see a kingfisher

at first hand, the one real surprise would probably be the size, standing at around just six inches in height.

The bill is very long and dagger-like, and is perfectly adapted for spearing its prey, and although the sexes are generally similar, in breeding pairs they can be distinguished by the bill.

The females will have a bill that is orange and black, whereas the males is all black in colour. The kingfisher feeds mainly on fish and invertebrates, which it catches by perching on a convenient branch and plunging into the water when suitable prey comes within striking distance. Once a fish is caught, the kingfisher will swallow its prey whole.

Both parents incubate the eggs for 19 to 21 days, and the young kingfishers usually fledge after around 23 to 27 days. In a good year the kingfisher may have two and occasionally three broods.

Please be aware that kingfishers are specially protected under Schedule One of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, so if you see a nest please keep well away from it, and please keep the site undisclosed.

However, by all means, look out for this beautiful bird around the county’s water courses throughout the year.

n Richard has spent his career promoting bio-diversity within the world of turf and is a former UK Golf Course Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year.

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- FARMING MATTERS -

On The Farm 2015 in Numbers

This month, farming expert Barry Poston discusses the financial state of the farming industry as he attends the conferences running throughout the county, discovering how Lincolnshire has performed. Here, Barry talks about how last year’s crop yields were well above average but sold for lower prices which has seen less financial reward for farmers...

March is generally a quiet month on most farms with livestock to be looked after and preparations on the land for the spring crops. Vining peas and spring barley are followed by sugar beet and later in April, the planting of potatoes.

I spent several days in February attending the conferences throughout the county. A most interesting outlook by Andersons took place with many interesting facts and graphs to illustrate.

“2015 has been a good growing season with yields above average. But lower prices have meant a lower financial reward...”

Land prices continued to rise with a slowing down over the last quarter. Rents showed very varied levels, the prices varying on many different factors. Quality of land, the number of years rented for and those with inheritance following. UK farm debt has 110

risen over the last few years and it is indeed fortunate that bank rates have been relatively low over this period. However UK farming debt has increased by nearly a billion pounds over the last five years.

Individual businesses budgets suggested this figure will only rise further.

For many, 2015 has been a good growing season with yields well above average.

However, lower prices have meant a lower financial reward for farmers.

Unfortunately, livestock has suffered with particularly hard losses in the milk and pig returns. The UK pig industry has experienced another volatile year with most producers in a loss making situation.

Generally potato, sugar beet and field vegetables have shown reasonable returns.

Potato production will be badly affected by the ban on PCN sprays which affect the crop badly. Another area of concern is the use of CIPC in the bin storage which are needed to control the potatoes from sprouting. Most potatoes are treated to control this problem.

Potato production is now seeing fewer, larger growers taking over production, generally paying a higher rent on more ideal land types with irrigation also being available.

With the larger machines available, they are more efficient in the growing of this crop.

Barry Poston is the area’s foremost farming expert with a long history working in both arable and livestock environments. He has seen a great many changes in the county’s main industry!

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- FARMING -

From London to Lincolnshire

BARRY POSTON

THE FARMING EXPERT

BARRY POSTON IS A WELL-KNOWN FARMER BASED IN SWINESHEAD. WITH SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT, WE’VE ENLISTED HIM TO WRITE FARMING ARTICLES FOR LINCOLNSHIRE PRIDE EVERY MONTH. ORIGINALLY FROM SURREY, BARRY WAS EVACUATED TO A LIVESTOCK FARM DURING THE WAR, WHERE HIS PASSION FOR FARMING DEVELOPED...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

We always appreciate our monthly visit from farming expert Barry Poston, who discusses Lincolnshire’s farming matters each month. As he talks about what is happening on the farm and as you read through his articles he writes for us every month, you can feel the passion he has for the subject.

Many people know of Barry too. At Lincolnshire Pride’s marquee at the Lincolnshire Show, we often have people approach us to say they read his article every month and know him well. You can’t help but wonder where his interest in farming began and what his life has been like.

“Coming up to the age of 83, I don’t remember much about my life in London,” says Barry. “Although, there are a few things that have stayed in my memory.”

“We had a Morrison Shelter which was a sort of indoor cage made up of steel supports and designed to protect us.

“The Doodlebugs were the flying bombs, rockets sent from France and Germany to bomb London, and many of them bombed Surrey. In fact, I remember when one of the Doodlebugs bombed the other end of our street. No one was hurt by it but we spent the night in the Morrison Shelter.”

“I remember when a Doodlebug bombed the other end of our street.

No one was hurt by it but we spent the night in the Morrison Shelter...”

He was born in Surrey and lived with his father, a bank manager in London, mother and younger brother. When war was declared on Germany in 1939, Barry would’ve been a very young boy, around the age of seven or eight.

We slept in there while bombs from Germany and France were hitting.”

“I remember that the planes had to fly over Surrey to reach the heart of London so we were a big target. I soon had to be evacuated in 1944 which was mainly down to the Doodlebugs.”

Barry’s parents knew of a farmer down in Somerset so he was evacuated, without his brother, to their farm. This is where he was introduced to farming and where his interest and passion began.

“Myself and the other evacuees all travelled by train from Surrey to Somerset because petrol was rationed back then so no one would have been able to complete a long journey like that.”

“I can’t remember how I felt about moving to Somerset. Being the age I was, I can imagine I was sad to move away from my parents, but I remember feeling happy

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because the farm I moved to had many animals. There were quite a lot of Friesian milking cows - livestock you don’t normally see in Surrey.”

“I came back to Surrey after the war and found that I really wanted a career in the farming industry. On family holidays, whilst everyone relaxed and enjoyed themselves, I’d go to the local farm to see what work I could get whilst we were staying there!”

B

arry and his family used to visit North Wales regularly and there was usually a farm in the area. He would introduce himself to the farmer and get himself little jobs, which he enjoyed doing and got paid for.

“I went to school in Croydon not long after to begin studying the subject of farming,” says Barry. “My interest grew from there so I moved to Kent to study the subject further at Wye College, and received a degree in agriculture.”

After receiving his degree, he found a farm manager’s job in Norfolk, staying there for a while, before moving from Norfolk to Swineshead. He moved to Lincolnshire

“ON FAMILY HOLIDAYS, WHILST EVERYONE RELAXED AND ENJOYED THEMSELVES, I’D GO TO THE LOCAL FARM TO SEE WHAT WORK I COULD GET WHILST WE WERE STAYING THERE...”

because he had heard of a job going in the area with better prospects.

“Swineshead was a lovely place with a close community and I made a lot of friends in the area, mainly through sport.”

He said that he was very keen on all kinds of sport from rugby to cricket to golf. He started becoming involved in sports in the first few weeks of being in Swineshead.

“Playing sport is a social activity - you can make friends with people immediately. Some of the people I met in the first few weeks of being in the county became some of my closest friends, and still are 50 years on. Farming also opened up plenty of opportunities for me to become close friends with people in the county.”

“Surprisingly, I met my wife through nothing at all related to sports or farming. Jan comes from London too and she came to stay for the weekend with some good friends of mine in Kirton.”

“I just happened to call in there whilst she was visiting and the rest, they say, is history! I was still working in Swineshead at the time and we married soon after when I was 45.”

A

nother big achievement of Barry’s is that he has travelled around the world. Before he met Jan, Barry visited Barbados a number of times with friends to watch the cricket. He also did a cricket tour in Australia, not playing but watching.

“Golf is also a very social game that has taken me to many places in the world.

One night, I made a list of all the places I played golf just out of self interest.

“I’ve played at around 30 golf courses across Lincolnshire, I’ve played in

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New Zealand, Florida, Australia, South Africa and many, many more places.”

“For the farming part of my life - a very large part - it started with livestock. In Somerset, there were the Friesian cows, then when I moved to Swineshead, we kept pigs. We had fat cattle and beef cattle too.”

L

ivestock was just part of Barry’s farming scene. Whilst keeping animals, he also farmed wheat, sugar beet, potatoes and other vegetables.

Rather than focus on one specific area of farming, he gained experience in almost all areas. Somerset was the only farm that was livestock specific - they only kept cows and no interest in the arable sector.

Moving to Somerset meant that he was separated from his brother for a long period of time. His brother, Neil, moved to London and worked in property while Barry moved to the farming county.

Another big achievement for Barry is that people in Lincolnshire usually are into farming because their parents farmed so they’ve taken the farm on.

In Barry’s case though, he started as a young lad helping out at the farms, milking cows, and after receiving an education in Kent, he went on to manage farms.

His life has been about climbing the ladder and building his way up to the top in a managerial role which was always a goal for him.

Just by reading some of his articles he writes for the magazine, and the way he talks about the industry, you can see just how much love he has for the land and for his adopted county of Lincolnshire.

n Barry’s ‘On the Farm’ articles are published every month in Pride.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Burns Night Supper 2016 Hosted by Barnsdale Lodge, Exton...

The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley, but not when those plans are laid by Barnsdale Lodge, who hosted another exceptional Burns Night Supper for around 140 guests, with the usual accoutrements of a four course meal, the centrepiece of which was haggis with ‘neeps and tatties, followed by Ceilidh dancing and resident piper Cameron performing on the pipes and reading the Selkirk Grace.

Burns lived in Dumfries from 1759 to 1796, and penned works including Auld Lang Syne, Tam O’Shanter and Scots Wha Hae, which remained for a long time the country’s unofficial national anthem.

■ For more information on Barnsdale Lodge, call 01572 724678 or visit www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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Traditionally

VINTAGE

Lucinda and Jon were torn between two themes for their wedding at Stubton Hall in Newark; traditional and vintage. Instead of choosing one or the other, the couple combined the two to create a truly beautiful wedding without having to make compromises...

Photographer: Samantha Hook, 01636 673800, www.samanthahook.co.uk.

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Compromises don’t have to be made when planning your wedding. If you’d like a traditional white wedding and a vintage theme, combine the two together, like Lucinda and Jon.

Jon works as a commercial manager and Lucinda is a clinical psychologist. The couple met in 2007 at university in Newcastle.

“It was my bridesmaid Anna’s pirate-themed birthday and we went out to a bar with one of my other bridesmaids, Jess,” says Lucinda. “Jess’s boyfriend was also in the same bar, he is good friends with Jon, that’s how we met.”

The pair were engaged in 2013. “Jon has family in Italy and we went on holiday to

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visit them. Whilst at Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Jon popped the question!”

“I didn’t become stressed whilst planning the wedding and found it an enjoyable experience. Whilst researching wedding venues I came across Stubton Hall and immediately fell in love. It was the only venue I visited; I didn’t need to see any others.”

“Whilst looking for a wedding dress, several people told me ‘when you see the one you’ll know,’ but I never believed them. That was, until I saw a Pronovias catwalk show promoting their latest line and saw my dress!”

“I was keen to have a traditional white wedding with a hint of vintage. Whilst my bridesmaids

“We got engaged in 2013.

Jon has family in Italy and we went on holiday to visit them. Whilst at Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Jon popped the question!”

Photographer: Samantha Hook, 01636 673800, www.samanthahook.co.uk.

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- WEDDINGS -

Centre/Right: The vintage stationery and decorations were designed by artist Jessica Lee. Right: For the table names, the couple chose meaningful places that they have visited.

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- WEDDINGS -

Left: The cake was bought from M&S, but was put together by Gina Campbell, family friend, who made the beautiful edible roses that surrounded each tier.

Photographer: Samantha Hook, 01636 673800, www.samanthahook.co.uk.

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wore a nude pink colour, the men wore ivory cravats and the flowers were all ivory. I chose a plain ivory dress with a long train but opted to wear a removable lace bolero. I decided not to have any embellishment on my dress but I wore very sparkly shoes!”

“I thought I would be nervous walking down the aisle but I wasn’t. I was really calm the whole day. It was so wonderful being surrounded by all the people we love.”

The couple married in a local church and rode in a vintage car to the venue, which was dressed with vintage and traditional décor.

“We had a musician called Paul Martyn who played throughout the breakfast into the evening and I can’t recommend him enough – he was fantastic! He plays the saxophone, sings and also DJs. He was so good, many of our guests thought a CD was playing!”

“We also had a vintage car photo booth outside which was a huge hit. All the suppliers were fantastic actually, my make-up artist, Rochelle O’Brien did my make-up perfectly.

James White did my hair beautifully and had us in fits of giggles! Sam Hook was amazing as you can see from the photos. We were pleased that we booked a videographer; Adam Galwas Productions captured our wedding perfectly and the photos and the videos are something we will treasure forever.”

“When we became engaged we knew we wanted to visit Fiji for our honeymoon.

Sadly on day four, I slipped and badly broke my arm, so it was cut short. We’re looking forward to booking a second honeymoon.”

“My tip for other brides would be to prepare yourself for how quickly the day will pass by and to enjoy every moment!”

Lucinda & Jon’s Wedding

Dress: Pronovias, www.pronovias.co.uk.

Entertainer: Paul Martyn, 0845 226 0080, www.paulmartyn.co.uk.

Venue: Stubton Hall, 01636 626187, www.stubtonhall.co.uk.

Hair: James White, 07713 866022, www.jameswhitehair.com.

Makeup: Rochelle O’Brien, 07590 545267, www.rochelleobrien.co.uk.

Photographer: Samantha Hook, 01636 673800, www.samanthahook.co.uk.

Videographer: Adam Galwas Productions, 07590 291198, www.adamgalwasproductions.com.

Flowers: Vaas, 01159 784475, www.vaas.co.uk.

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Andrew J Musson

Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

Bespoke & Made to Measure Suits

by Savile Row Tailor, Andrew Musson

CALL TODAY TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BESPOKE OR MADE TO MEASURE SUIT.

39 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AS Tel: (01522) 520142 info@andrewjmusson.com | www.andrewjmusson.com

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Le Bek: Sand Jacket £119, Top £35.

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- CINDY’S -

STEP INTO SPRING WITH

CINDY’S

CINDY’S FASHIONS, BASED IN SUTTON BRIDGE, NOW HAVE NEW SPRING COLLECTIONS IN STOCK WITH HIGH QUALITY BRANDS LIKE BETTY BARCLAY, LE BEK AND FRANK LYMAN. THE RETAILER’S CASUAL SPRING RANGES ARE RELAXED, IDEAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR...

Frank Lyman: Perhaps a dress for work or a more formal day out, Frank Lyman Monochrome Dress £179.

Latte: Beautiful shift dress from another of Cindy’s suppliers, Latte, at £159.

Must-Have

Le Bek: This top from Le Bek features an array of coloured butterflies, perfect for something a little cooler to wear £35.

SPRING STYLES 1. Just White two-piece, £135.

2. Doris Streich Scarf, £35.

3. Frank Lyman Dress.

4. Just White Shirt, £99.

5. Frank Lyman Dress, £199.

6. Betty Barclay Scarf, £29.

n For more information, visit www.cindysfashions.co.uk or call 01406 350961.

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A TOKEN of Love IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO TREAT SOMEONE THIS SPRING, LINCOLN’S JOHN GREED HAS SOME

BEAUTIFUL IDEAS...

Images: Lauren Devlin.

Drop of Rose (right): This stunning necklace has been compiled by John Greed’s in house team and consists of one of the Glam & Soul 18ct rose gold plated silver rose quartz oval pendants, with a special edition rose gold plated fine link necklace, £229.

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Cufflinks: Let him know that you’ll be together ‘Forever & Always.’ These beautiful polished cufflinks are sure to prove truly memorable, a gift that he will cherish forever, £14.95.

Heart: Embrace the romance of origami; Heart white gold plated silver earrings, £22.95 from John Greed. Miniature heart stud earrings beautifully crafted in white gold plated silver.

The perfect, fun addition to your jewellery collection.

4

Locket: Keep your loved ones close to your heart with this Silver Heart locket engraved, with ‘I love you x.’ £39.95, Crafted from white gold plated silver, on a white gold plated belcher chain.

5

Earrings: Embrace timeless glamour with the Diamond Essentials rose gold Vermeil stud earrings

by Links of London at John Greed. Crafted from sterling silver with sumptuous 18ct rose gold vermeil plating and featuring 74 sparkly round cut Pavé diamonds, £195.

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Sweetheart Gift Set: This sparkling set includes the matching necklace and earrings, both in an open heart design, crafted from 9ct white gold, several brilliant cubic zirconia stones, make this set extra special. Treat your loved ones today with an elegant gift set, £157.95

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Jewellery Box (above): The perfect gift to give your loved one this season; a silver plated heart jewellery box which can be engraved with your message, £19.95.

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Bracelet: Love Infinity Bracelet from Thomas Sabo.

Flowing lines of white Pavé cubic zirconia set sterling silver, £70.

Time: Tell the time with added sparkle with this crystalline oval rose watch from Swarovski.

Unique oval design with approximately 1,700 clear Swarovski crystals, £219.

Ring (above): Love to sparkle with this Attract Light white crystal ring from Swarovski. Crafted from a rhodium plated design and finished with Swarovski crystal, this ring is a sparkling addition to any outfit, £99.

John Greed Jewellers is one of the county’s leading stockists of beautiful designer jewellery from Pandora, Links of London, Thomas Sabo, Swarovski, Nomination, Geti and many more brands.

You can expect to find a superb range of charms, necklaces, rings, earrings, watches, bracelets & accessories - and with both men’s and women’s jewellery collections available, we have an amazing selection of jewellery to suit every style.

Whether you browse in store or shop on the retailer’s website, you’ll enjoy seeing the latest ranges, from Pandora composable bracelets to on trend Thomas Sabo and a bit of sparkle courtesy of Swarovski.

Explore the brand of the company’s eponymous designer at John Greed Jewellery, too. From classic sterling silver jewellery to beautiful gold and rose gold pieces, don’t miss the designer’s exclusive collections, including his bestselling Origami Safari and Signet rings.

An exclusive engraving service allows you to personalise many pieces to truly give a gift that’s beautiful and extra special, no matter what the occasion. n Visit John Greed Jewellery on 314-315 High St, Lincoln LN5 7DR. Call 0345 319 0008 or see www.johngreedjewellery.com.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Essential Well-Being For Those with Cancer...

A well-being clinic in Spalding is set to become the first of its kind to provide skincare, make-up, diet and exercise support for women and teenagers affected by cancer. Essential Well-Being will offer the services and support from its new location on London Road in Spalding, supporting the international charity Look Good Feel Better. It comes alongside its already well established skin treatments, specialist body massage and beauty therapy treatments.

Owner of Essential Well-being Jo Esdale said: “I’m really excited to support the charity Look Good Feel Better to provide practical support for women and teenagers affected with the visible side effects of cancer treatment, improving well-being and confidence.” n For more information call 01775 249425 or see www.essentialwell-being.co.uk.

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Feature your event in our magazine.

Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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NATURAL

GLOW

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a fine powder that can be used daily in the shower to give your skin a gentle exfoliation, getting rid of dead skin cells and preparing your skin for a beautiful base. Follow up with Dermalogica Active Moist, a light, very easily absorbed moisturiser that suits all skin types to keep skin hydrated and banish winter skin.

GET GLOWING Main: This is an example of Rochelle O’Brien’s makeup art.

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4

WEIGHTLESS

3

CONCEALER

Urban Decay Naked Weightless Concealer makes those dark circles disappear. It’s an amazing lightweight concealer giving full coverage without being thick and blends beautifully. You can also use it over the eyelids as a base to stop your eyeshadow creasing, £17.

A WONDERGLOW

Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow is an instant soft-focus primer infused with a gold tint used on its own for a healthy glow or under regular foundation. You can also use this as a highlighter on the top of cheekbones, £38.50.

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THE HOLY GRAIL

5

AWARD-WINNING LOCAL MAKEUP ARTIST ROCHELLE O’BRIEN SHARES HER TOP FIVE PRODUCTS TO BANISH GREY WINTER SKIN AND GET A GLOWING, FLAWLESS BASE...

Make Up For Ever Ultra 4HD foundation is my holy grail foundation which I use on most of my clients.

Developed for the 4HD cameras which reveal every flaw, it gives full coverage and looks natural with a semi-matte finish available in over 40 shades, £29.

CHAMPAGNE

SHIMMER

Becca Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Champagne Pop: I have no words to describe how gorgeous this rose gold shimmering highlighting powder is. Use it on the top of cheekbones, above the cupids bow to give the impression of fuller lips, on the tear duct to widen eyes or anywhere you want some added sparkle. It’s shimmer for grown ups, £32. n Rochelle has been a makeup artist for ten years and works across the East Midlands. You can see more of Rochelle’s work at www.rochelleobrien.co.uk

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“I WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE SALON BUZZING WITH PLENTY OF IDEAS...”

Left: Hannah styling the model’s hair for the photoshoot.

Below: The final shots Schwarzkopf managed to achieve through Hannah’s expert work. Get the products for the same look!

Lincolnshire

Stylist’s

AGE OF BEAUTY Lincolnshire hairdresser Hannah Gordon from Scunthorpe was exclusively selected by hairdressing giant Schwarzkopf Professional to style and create a set of stunning images. The 2016 collection, Age of Beauty, is dedicated to a topic that’s currently experiencing a social revolution; ageing gracefully.

(5)

(4)

(2)

(1)

The Age of Beauty collection has been crystallised into three stunning looks and is redefining age to make a clear statement.

Instead of masking or combatting the signs of ageing, our own beauty and individuality is being brought back into focus. Hannah thoroughly recommends the following products if you’re wanting to age gracefully and make a statement.

THE PRODUCTS Silver Whites Brightening Spray (1) was used at the front. BC Excellium Pearl Beautifying Shampoo (2) was used, along with the Plumping Spray Conditioner (3) and Plumping Soufflé (4). Prepped with the OSIS+ Prime & Prep Spray (5) before styling.

(3)

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Providing Expert

Dental Care

Burton Dental Lodge, Boston...

We introduce ourselves with a layout designed to bring you to a sense of total relaxation. The lodge is set within natural beautiful grounds and restored features intended to provide you with a feeling of complete tranquility.

Our welcoming, friendly and professional team are on hand to provide you with the highest level of service using the latest state of the art equipment.

From the moment you step through the door, you'll feel in control and in the care of

our experienced healthcare professionals.

Our advanced and up-to-date treatment options, in addition to our clinical experience, enables us to assess your circumstances and devise a tailored dental solution for you.

Here’s a list of just some of the treatments we provide: specialist implant therapy, dental sedation, cosmetic facial rejuvenation, cosmetic dentistry, smile design, family dentistry, Denplan and emergency treatment.

Private grounds with onsite parking along with wheelchair friendly facilities, situated away from the busy market town of Boston. n Call 01205 351542 or see www.burtondentallodge.co.uk.

Sleaford Smile Centre...

At Sleaford Smile Centre, we believe that you should keep your teeth for life. Our emphasis is on dental education and preventative dentistry to minimise the amount of dental treatment you currently receive.

However, when we do need to provide dental treatment we use modern techniques and materials to achieve the highest quality.

We will provide long term solutions to maintain your dental health.

We also offer a free smile consultation. So, what do you want for your smile? If the answer is a whiter smile, our premium whitening system, Enlighten, may be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you have always wanted

Before

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This month, we visit a few of the very best dental care providers in the county, caring for patients and using the latest dental health technology... that perfect straight smile, Six Month Smiles ™ brace system has produced some spectacular results for our patients.

Missing tooth? The latest Implant technology can fill that gap.

Broken tooth? How about a same day crown with no impressions required with innovative CEREC technology?

We are proud of our practice and committed to providing high quality of service. We have built a reputation for providing an excellent standard of dentistry.

Our friendly, highly trained and experienced team share a vision to create the best dental practice possible. Our mission is to provide outstanding care to our patients who deserve the very best and we look forward to meeting all your expectations. As one of our patients once told us, this is ‘Dentistry with a difference.’ n Call 01529 304136 or see www.sleafordsmiles.com.

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- DENTAL HEALTH -

The Dental Health Centre, Grantham...

The Dental Health Centre in Grantham aims to change lives with modern dentistry. This is their mission but have they achieved it? To find out, we asked some of their patients.

Here’s what they had to say please visit their website to read patients’ testimonials in full.

A welcoming atmosphere “The team is fantastic and they know who I am. I’m not just a number here and you get a very personal service,” says Robyn Buckle from Lincoln.

They make every effort to get to know their patients and in doing so, patients very often become friends.

Nervous patients “The staff are so warm and friendly and they greet you by name. I’m thrilled to bits that I’ve found a dentist who listens to me, my fears and my concerns and treats me accordingly,” says Sandy Ball from Spridlington.

Their practice doesn’t look - or smell - like a dental practice.

The Dental Health Centre is a modern building that has been decorated with patients in mind. It is equipped with the latest in dental technology to provide a painless and precise outcome for their patients.

Technical excellence “Right from the beginning, he was technically excellent and I felt very confident about his competence and ability to find a solution that was best for me.

He has moved with the times and made sure he is always at the forefront of dentistry.” says Elizabeth P, from Grantham.

Colin Sutton, their principal dentist, has successfully placed 100s of dental implants since 2000 and has an excellent reputation. The team always strives to evolve by having the most up-to-date equipment and by providing all treatments under one roof.

The Dental Health Centre is one of few dental practices to have a 3D dental CT scanner.

Their state-of-the-art scanner makes implants safer and quicker and makes them one of the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the area.

Life changing dentistry “Implants have changed my life. The treatment has made such a fantastic difference to my appearance and my health,” says D.C, Lincoln.

Living with an uncomfortable mouth that doesn’t function well is debilitating. Everyone at the Dental Health Centre is committed to providing the very best in dental health care.

Together the team brings a wealth of experience and maintains a commitment to professional development.

This enables them to offer an enviable choice of treatments from simple routine care and new porcelain crowns in one visit, to complex rehabilitations utilising their skills in placing crowns, bridges and implants. n Call 01476 594480 for more information or visit their website www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk.

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Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979

Designer frames from Prodesign Denmark & Bvlgari - just two of the famous names available at O’Briens.

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653 595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk

Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

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Ditch your dentures &

START LIVING

For many people, living with dentures is no life at all. There is a solution – dental implants. The team at The Dental Health Centre in Grantham has come up with its top 5 reasons why dental implants are a great solution for replacing missing teeth and dentures.

A whole set of teeth can be replaced with from four dental implants – you don’t need one for each missing tooth. To these implants, our skilled implant dentist, Colin Sutton, can securely attach a fixed implant bridge or removable denture.

Taste what you’re eating

Upper dentures cover your palate and can lead to you being unable to taste your food. Dental implants replace the missing root, so your palate stays clear and you start enjoying food again.

Chew a steak & crunch an apple!

Not being able to eat the food you once loved is one of the main gripes our denture wearers have. Dental implants are anchored firmly in your jaw meaning no food is off limits.

“My dentures are now absolutely rock solid on two implants. If you can’t eat, you’re in trouble.

I am absolutely delighted.”

C.T Lincoln

Improve your appearance

Missing teeth can cause bone loss and your jawbone to shrink. Bone is stimulated when you chew food and this will happen again when you use dental implants.

Be more confident

When the jaw line reduces dentures lose their fit. An implantsupported denture won’t slip, cause pain or become embarrassing – allowing you to eat, laugh and socialise with confidence.

Enjoy a comfortable mouth

If badly fitting dentures are causing you discomfort, book a free 30-minute consultation with Colin to find out how implants can help.

The Dental Health Centre, 3 Avenue Road, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 6TA. www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

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Flour - SACREWELL FARM -

POWER

Last summer’s restoration of Sacrewell’s heritage watermill means there’s even more to enjoy on the working farm this season.

Adults and children alike will enjoy the gentle motion of the mill, watching the newborn lambs gambolling about, and stepping back in time with the dedicated ladies of the Land Army...

Sacrewell, near Peterborough, is always popular in springtime, with newborn lambs gambolling about, fresh air and farm trails to enjoy.

This year though, the 50 acre attraction, held in charitable trust since 1964, will hold even greater appeal for both adults and children alike, thanks to the completion of a £1.8m project to restore Sacrewell’s watermill.

“The Mill dates back to 1755 and carries a starred Grade II* listing,” says Sacrewell’s Megan Allen. “It was still productive right into the late 1960s but eventually fell into obsolescence because its last miller, Alan Butcher, had nobody he could pass his skills onto.”

“It remained open as part of the visitor centre, but with an education remit. We’ve hosted baking and milling dates, but to realise its full potential necessitated a complete refurbishment.”

In 2012 the William Scott Abbot Trust, which owns the site, completed a feasibility study to work out how it could restore, and make more of, the site.

With HLF money, topped up by the Trust itself, a comprehensive refurbishment began in 2014 and was completed in 2015, headed up by Mill Officer Jane Harrison.

The refurbishment of the mill has concentrated on two periods in history, the early 19th century, within the mill, with its restored waterwheel and stonefloor, and the 1940s, in the millhouse, which has been furnished to reflect Sacrewell’s role in feeding the county with the Land Army girls of the Second World War. Now, the millwheel and its mechanism can turn seven days a week, and on selected days throughout the spring and summer, it will grind Sacrewell flour, will be sold to the public when the visitor centre gains the relevant hygiene and safety approvals.

RESTORING THE HERITAGE MILL Sacrewell Farm’s heritage mill has been restored at a cost of £1.8m, funded by HLF cash and the William Scott Abbot Trust.The mill is three storeys tall, and carries a Grade II* listing.

The project took place from 2012 to 2015, concentrating on two historical period, the early C19th and WWII. The millwheel is fed from a stream that snakes through the 550 acre heritage farm. It’s a breast-shot waterwheel which drives a set of stones - one of a pair, originally - via a pitwheel and spur wheel.

The BBC recently filmed an episode of Victorian Bakers at Sacrewell.The episode aired in January.

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Top: The mill is part of the 50 acre visitor centre on the 550 farm.

The mill itself is Grade II* listed and dates back to 1755.

Above: Former land army girls Mary Watson and Edna Dixon provide first hand accounts of social history this season.

Right: The mill has been restored and is now grinding grain for visitors.

The mill and its mechanism are a great source of fascination, but with the WWII land army interpretation, created from firsthand accounts of ladies like Mary Watson and Edna Dixon, there’s an extra dimension to an attraction with social history at its heart.

“As well as the mill, we’ve the usual attractions too, like our newborn lambs, and chicks...”

“It’s a bit of a cliché, but we really do have something for everyone this spring,” says Megan. “The mill means we’ll be able to take families back in time, with audio interpretation describing to families what life was like for the young apprentice miller, for example.”

“We can really inspire children, and teach them not just about where our food comes from, but what farms were like back then, 144

too. As well as the mill, we’ve the usual springtime attractions too, with newborn lambs, and chicks from March onwards, and other creatures from our goats and pigs to those in our small animal centre.”

“We’ve tractor rides around farmland now used by Riverford’s organic arable farming operation, plus a wildlife trail and two new rambles, as well as regular events throughout spring and summer.”

Spring has always been one of the best times to enjoy the attraction, but with the newly refurbished mill and the millhouse’s wartime interpretation, stepping back in time is something the whole family can enjoy at Sacrewell this season.

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- SACREWELL FARM -

Dates for Your Diary

A History of Sacrewell Farm...

1750: Work began on building a new watermill, millhouse and Lodge Farm at Sacrewell. At this time there were three tenant farmers, down from 20 a century or two earlier.

c.1917: Returning injured from WWI, William Scott Abbott begins farming on land dating back to 47AD and later owned by Sir John Russell, Earl of Bedford.

1929: Previously a tenant farmer, William Scott Abbott‘s family purchase the property for £13,000, including 550 acres of land, three houses, two cottages and 11 properties near Wansford. His pioneering work to feed the country included large-scale milk production, selective breeding and AI techniques.

1964: Following her husband’s dream, on 1st January 1964, Mary founded The William Scott Abbott Trust. The vision was

to provide an agricultural education for all and although William and Mary would not recognise parts of the farm as it stands today, the educational values they promoted are still very much alive.

1965: The mill ceased to operate commercially because of a combination of health and safety requirements and a lack of people to operate it.

1973: Sacrewell was one of the first farms in the country to host a farm open day to help everyone to understand agriculture and the countryside. People had become accustomed to finding food ready-prepared in a supermarket and had lost touch with its origins.

1981: Sacrewell Farm opened to the public – but not as visitors see it today. It was a working farm and people would ‘drop in’ when they liked to see what was going on.

2002: The Trust decided to stop farming in its own right and leased the land on a five year tenancy to Farmer’s Weekly farms, owned by Farmer’s Weekly who used the site as a proving ground for new machinery.

Crops at this time consisted of potatoes, sugar beet, cereals and oil seed rape and were featured regularly in the magazine. The tenancy was released in 2006.

2005: New offices and corporate function rooms were added to the current facilities, opening Sacrewell up to a wider audience.

2007: Riverford Organic Farms became the new tenant farmer at Sacrewell, with the right to farm 508 acres of the land.

2013: Sacrewell wins £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the 18th century watermill and its associated buildings.

Sacrewell hosts a calender of events throughout the year, its spring events are as follows: From 5th March - 24th April

Spring into Sacrewell

Visit our new arrivals including lambs, chicks and piglets.

25th - 28th March

Easter at Sacrewell

Visit the activity centre for a chocolate adventure.

21st and 22nd May

Spring Fair

Sacrewell will be milling, baking, sheep shearing and Morris dancing, in a full celebration of the countryside in spring.

n Find Out More: Sacrewell is open seven days a week from 9.30am-5pm.

Tickets £8.25/adults; £6.00/children, £6.50/senior. Visit the attraction at Sacrewell, Thornhaugh, Peterborough PE8 6HJ, call 01780 782254 or see www.sacrewell.org.uk.

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- INDEPENDENT EDUCATION -

Worksop College The Future of Education at

A number of changes are currently underway at Worksop College which will ensure state-of-the-art facilities for those seeking independent education for boys and girls aged 3-18. This month we reveal plans for a brand new school on the historic 330-acre site...

Worksop College recently revealed plans to transform its Worksop site, which include the creation of a brand new stateof-the-art Junior School for boys and girls aged 3 to 11, and new facilities for students aged 11-18, too.

The College was founded in 1895 and is home to 340 college students (literally, for the 60% of those who board at the school) and to a further 240 pupils within its Preparatory School.

Currently, the Preparatory School is located a few miles away in Ranby, but plans have recently been revealed which point to exciting changes for Worksop College.

Future Plans These include the creation of a new boys’ boarding house, opening as Pride goes to press, to reflect the increase in popularity of boarding at the independent school.

Meanwhile, the main building will be reconfigured to provide updated, dedicated facilities for its Sixth Form and to upgrade all other Houses to the same very high standards.

These changes will facilitate the relocation of Years 7 and 8 (pupils aged 11 to 13) to a dedicated Junior House within the Senior School, allowing for the Preparatory School to relocate onto the College’s 330acre site for the September 2017 intake.

The result, says Headteacher Gavin Horgan, who has been with the school for three years, will be facilities of unprecedented quality for children across the whole age range.

A Change Agenda “I was recruited to a change agenda, one which would enable every child to succeed,” says Gavin, “What we have here is unique; a school with tradition and very grand building at its heart, but also a real sense of community - a home, as well as a school and the opportunity to look to the future.”

“As a charity, every penny we generate goes back into education, and into the school as it continues to operate as a social enterprise and for the educational improvement of all in the community. We’re a school that wants to make changes, to be successful and to continue to provide a first class education

FOUR PHASES FOR THE FUTURE 1. New Boarding House: The school’s new £3.5m, 60-bed boys’ boarding house will open this month.

2. New Sixth Form Facilities: The Grade II listed school, built in 1895, will be reconfigured to accommodate improved Sixth Form facilities, with work due to be completed by September 2016.

3. Years 7 and 8 Move In: Years 7 and 8 - pupils aged 11 and 12 - will move to the College site at Worksop, in September 2016 from the school’s existing Ranby site, with the creation of a new Junior House within the Senior School.

4. New Junior School Opens: The Ranby based Prep School, will move into a brand new purpose-built Junior School, currently in the planning stage, at the Worksop site in time for the September 2017 intake.

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Above: Music is a major part of life at The Prep School and Worksop College.

Main: Opportunities are endless at Worksop College.

As well as academic subjects, pupils excel in Music, Sport and Art. Right: The College has a superb Sixth Form, with more than 65% of pupils going on to the country’s finest Universities.

with a sense of community at its heart.”

It’s telling that Gavin still teaches within the school, in order to maintain a connection to his students, and to the faculty. It’s also telling that the Headteacher - along with 27 other members of staff and their families too - all live permanently on site, committed to the community.

open, and represent a £3.5m investment, with 60 beds, whilst the Junior School is currently at the planning and consultation stage.

“Award-winning architects Page Park have been commissioned to work with us to design the Junior School.”

“We will provide a first class education with a true sense of community at heart!”

“The College was already doing well, so really I’ve just facilitated its natural growth. We want all pupils, now and in the future, to receive the best education in highquality, specialist learning environments.”

The College’s new boarding facilities are now

“We will build a new, state-of-the-art Junior School for children right from Nursery age to Year 6 at the College site,” says Gavin. “Like the rest of Worksop College, this will be the best possible environment for our younger learners now and for the next fifty years, too.”

WORKSOP COLLEGE IN NUMBERS 3-18: The school provides Preparatory School education for boys and girls aged 3-13; and College education for those aged 13-18.

65%: Over 65% of Worksop College’s graduates attend ‘outstanding’ (i.e.: Russell Group) Universities.

330: The school is set in a 330-acre country estate bordering Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park.

340: The College is home to 340 pupils, (60% of whom are boarders); 27 families (of teachers) also live in cottages on the estate, including Headteacher Gavin Horgan. The Prep School has a further 240 pupils.

1895: The Grade II listed College was built in 1895, founded by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, with five Masters and 44 boys.

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- INDEPENDENT EDUCATION -

Music At Worksop College Performances for the public and the chance to view the facilities at Worksop College for yourself...

Wednesday 9th March, 7.30pm

Harry The Piano

From Michael Jackson in the style of Mozart to a seamless medley of TV themes, Harry the Piano has performed for royalty, and now appears at Worksop College. Members of the public welcome, tickets ÂŁ10/adults, ÂŁ5-ÂŁ9/conc.

A New School for a Brighter Future...

Worksop’s vision is to provide its children with the very best education possible on a one-site school. This will ensure greater continuity for pupils in all years, for generations to come.

Saturday 12th March, 10.30am-12.30

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The four-piece Baroque Supergroup presents a ‘no holds barred’ take on the genre. ÂŁ12/adults, ÂŁ6-ÂŁ11/conc.

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n Find Out More: Worksop College and The Prep School, Ranby House, are open by appointment to prospective parents wishing to enjoy a tour of its facilities.To arrange an appointment, call The Prep School on 01777 714387 and The College on 01909 537155, or visit www.wsnl.co.uk for further information.

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- EDUCATION -

Laying Foundations for

The Future

Susan Bulbeck is laying foundations for the future, providing the education sector with quality staff and helping young people to find careers in a number of sectors. Via her firm, Riverside Training, she and her colleagues offer high quality training, specialising in early years nursery and school positions...

Young people in our area are keen to commit to a career in education, whilst their potential employers are keen to find committed, well-trained members of staff.

“Employing an apprentice, with wages ranging from £3.30/hr based on a 30 hour week. That also provides employers with the ability to expand their workforce economically and grow their own businesses.”

That’s where Spalding’s Susan Bulbeck comes in. A specialist in education, and the former owner of four nurseries down in Berkshire, she’s the founder of Riverside Training, a provider of in-work training with a special interest in finding her students positions in the early years sector of nurseries and schools.

“We currently have over 180 students and at any one time we’ll have 20 or 30 unfilled vacancies,” says Susan. “We run 40 courses and provide training in everything from babysitting and paediatric first aid to food hygiene, business admin or customer service qualifications.”

Susan and her team of 10 serve over 100 nurseries in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and into Norfolk.

From Berkshire she moved to the county pursuing semi-retirement. Picking up work at Stamford College from 1998 to 2004 she set up in Spalding with the cessation of early years education training courses in the town.

“We were talking in the office and trying to work out what we could do to ensure a continuity of opportunities for the young people in our area,” she says.

“We’re keen to hear from business across all sectors - but the education sector in particular - if they think they’ve an opportunity in their business to employ them in a position relevant to a business administration, customer service or management apprenticeship.”

“We spoke to Lincolnshire County Council, and obtained the means to provide ongoing training opportunities tailored to the individual, from one-to-one training to groups.”

Allied to education framework providers like CACHE, NSQA and OCR, students benefit from obtaining recognised qualifications whilst working full time.

Employers, meanwhile, benefit from enthusiastic members of staff who are cost effective to employ and can adapt to that individual employer’s way of working.

“We want to see young people achieve, and employers, too, recognise that being able to help a young person into work - and watching them grow - is incredibly rewarding.”

Approaching its 10th anniversary, Riverside Training has helped countless numbers of student to achieve their potential, whilst also helping to provide employers with staff who can meet their demands, and improve standards across the whole of the education sector.

“The demand for qualified childcare workers and teaching assistants has never been greater, so whether you’re an individual looking to gain a new qualification, or an employer seeking to recruit or train your existing staff, now’s the time to sign up for a training course with a successful specialist training company,” says Susan.

n Riverside Training is based on Red Lion Street, Spalding PE11 1SX. Call 01775 710945 or see www.riversidetrainingspalding.co.uk

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- MOTORS -

THE CAR OF

SUMMER

IF YOU WANT TO BE NOTICED, THERE’S ONLY ONE CAR TO BE SEEN IN THIS YEAR, AND IT’S THIS. LAND ROVER HAS BROUGHT TO THE MARKET THE FIRST 4X4 CONVERTIBLE. BASED ON ITS ALREADY INCREDIBLE EVOQUE, THE NEW VERSION IS COMPLETELY UNIQUE AND IS GUARANTEED TO TURN HEADS WHEREVER IT GOES...

Words: Rob Davis.

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Oooooh. The Evoque convertible. It’s this year’s must-have car, truly unique and guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes.

The smallest Range Rover in the firm’s lineup has always been a sales success for Jaguar Land Rover, and this spring, a new version goes on sale, based on the coupé version of the small SUV, but with one notso-subtle difference... the absence of a roof.

The Evoque Convertible is already available to order, with first deliveries expected next month. We all anticipate the coming of spring and summer, but somehow this has made the prospect of warmer weather and blue skies even more enticing, and better still, the new car is based on a model that’s already very desirable.

Whilst the Evoque range starts from a reasonable £30,200 for a two wheel drive manual version in SE trim, the Convertible is rather more expensive, at £47,500.

That’s because, not withstanding the extra expense of the engineering and roof mechanism, it’s also equipped with more powerful engines; a 2.0 diesel or 2.0 petrol engine generating 180hp or 240hp respectively. Four wheel drive is also standard, and the Convertible is available in range-topping Dynamic or Dynamic Lux trims only.

We’ll recommend you opt for the diesel version, which will achieve a satisfying 49.6mpg combined; 55mpg on Lincolnshire’s A-Roads. 60mph is reached in a nippy 9.7 seconds, with a top speed of 121mph. Whilst the petrol is faster, it’s also thirstier, and speed isn’t really the point of the Convertible.

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The point, rather, is posing. And in that respect, there’s no finer car. A fabric roof folds back into the boot in less than 18 seconds to reveal a four seater car that’s unmistakably a Land Rover.

You can tackle seemingly unsurmountable slopes, rutted tracks or, as the brochure’s photography suggests, drive through a snowy ski-scene or through the sea, and you can do so whilst looking very cool indeed.

Safety is assured with a deployable rollover protection system which pops up if it detects a dangerous vehicle angle, and is designed to take account of the rough and tumble nature of the car without deploying accidentally.

Speaking of venturing off-road, Land Rover’s excellent Terrain Response system is standard, and makes pre-empting off-road

Above: The car has four full-size seats and a retractable fabric roof which operates electrically in just 18 seconds.

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conditions as simple as pressing a button.

There’s even a Dynamic mode for when you’re seeking a firmer, sportier on-road feel.

As standard, the car also has a very generous equipment tally which, along with its unmistakable style, goes a long way to justifying its price. 12-way electrically adjustable heated leather seats, a rear view camera, configurable mood-lighting, auto lights and wipers, a heated front windscreen, climate control and cruise control, Bluetooth and DAB radio are all standard.

Lux models add automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, a 360° view camera and keyless entry, and raiding the options list even further can yield adaptive cruise control or a TV tuner, heated steering wheel, massaging seats or air conditioning.

In short, there’s nothing a well-heeled Evoke Convertible driver will want for.

Also making a debut on the Convertible model is a new premium metallic colour, Phoenix Orange, but the car looks great in Firenze Red too, especially when ordered with the 20” satin black wheels pictured here.

Being an Evoque, the driving dynamic is still said to be superb - UK drivers have to wait until the car reaches our shores to find out first hand. Land Rover stresses that the efforts they’ve gone to in order to ensure the body stiffening needed to chop a car’s roof off - because of the effect on torsional rigidity - won’t have an adverse consequence on the car’s handling.

Even with a slightly reduced boot capacity, the four-seat Evoque is compromise-free wind-in-the-hair motoring and it’s easily the summer’s most desirable car!

n See the Evoque Convertible at Lincolnshire’s Land Rover Dealerships’ open days on 24th March in Kirton and 13th April in Market Rasen.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Dynamic

Price: £47,500 (HSE Dynamic).

Engine: 2.0V4 diesel, 180ps, auto.

Economy: 49.6mpg (combined), 42.2mpg (urban), 55.4mpg (extra urban). 149g/km CO2.

Top Speed: 121mph.

Equipment: Electric, heated leather seats, sat nav, climate, cruise, Bluetooth.

Find Out More:

Address: Duckworth Land Rover, London Road, Kirton PE20 1JH, or Racecourse Garage, Willingham Road, Market Rasen LN8 3RE.

Call: 01205 725700 /01673 842101.

Web: www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk.

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CLASS A TOUCH OF - MOTORING -

MERCEDES HAS RECENTLY CROWNED ITS RANGE WITH A £200,000 FLAGSHIP VERSION OF ITS S-CLASS. FOUR SEATS, PLUS TWO DOORS, MINUS ONE ROOF EQUALS A HIGHLY DESIRABLE GRAND TOURER OFFERING EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE AND THE LAST WORD IN LUXURY. THIS MONTH WE INTRODUCE THE INCREDIBLE S-CLASS CONVERTIBLE...

The Mercedes S-Class has always been a car of firsts. It was the first to introduce drivers to electric windows, power steering, ABS, and adaptive cruise control.

It was the first car to make executive motoring as pleasurable for the chauffeur as those who were being driven.

And now, there’s a new first, for the new flagship of the firm is the first S-Class to breach a £200,000 price tag.

The current S-Class is absolutely superb, more cosseting than any Rolls Royce or Bentley, let alone any Range Rover, Audi or BMW. ‘Magic’ suspension that reads the road ahead and adjusts its dampers to compensate for the potholes it sees, plus steering assist for motorway driving and heated armrests all finesse an already impeccable ownership prospect, whilst AMG models breathe fire through eight or 12 cylinder engines.

Last year, a svelte coupé version was introduced too, for those seeking a performance car that’s ludicrously quick but can also be a quiet, calm motorway cruiser. It’s that version which has also spawned this new body style, a four seat convertible.

In V12 engined 65AMG trim, the car is powered by a 6.0V12 engine generating 1,000nm of torque (pulling power is available in any gear, at any time, at any speed), and 630hp.

The result is a car that can blast to 60mph in a whisper over four seconds, and reach an electronically limited 155mph.

With a price tag of £200,000, that puts the car on a collision course with Aston Martin’s Vanquish Volanté, Bentley’s Continental GT Speed Convertible and Rolls Royce’s Dawn, as well as Ferrari’s 488 Spider.

The first ),00,000 S Class: Mercedes’s flagship saloon has spawned a coupé and now a convertible model.

It’s very quick and very luxurious.

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Above: With four seats, the Mercedes is practical, but we think fire-breathing AMG variants offer too much performance.

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>> Compared to the two-seater configuration of the Ferrari, and the Aston Martin, the S-Class seems rather more practical, with sufficiently usable rear seats.

The Rolls Royce is a rather more expensive option, though we’re not entirely sure why, badge kudos aside.

The Bentley is the more comparable model, but at least in our opinion, the Mercedes trounces it for looks, even if the badge feels a little inferior.

One area that the Mercedes does easily win, though, is in terms of standard equipment.

There’s very little which the S65AMG lacks, and drivers won’t be left wanting for something to play with at the traffic lights.

Above: The S-Class Convertible is based on the svelte two-door coupé version released last year. A Maybach wheelbase S-Class will follow.

“A ROLLS ROYCE IS A RATHER MORE EXPENSIVE OPTION, THOUGH WE’RE NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHY, BADGE KUDOS ASIDE...”

Nappa leather smothers the edges of the roof, the dash and seats. The latter are electrically adjustable, heated (as is the steering wheel, your armrest and the rear seats), cooled and feature a massage facility.

C-IF YOU CAN SPOT THE RESEMBLANCE With a rather lower price tag of

between £31,000 and £40,000, the C-Class Coupé is rather more accessible than the S-Class, but remains achingly beautiful. We think it’s one of the best looking cars on the market, and frugal too - 69mpg in £33,000 C220d form.

Adaptive cruise control is standard, as is night vision. Doors close by servo motors for a quieter, smoother entrance. There’s a sat nav system with voice control, DAB radio and TV tuner. The car has 4G internet access, a 360° view camera, night vision system, and of course, there’s an air freshener with different fragrance flasks in the glovebox.

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You’d expect, then, that we’d resoundingly champion the S65AMG over its illustrious competitors, and to some degree we would.

But, there’s a problem.

In AMG form, any Mercedes is firmer to ride in and less economical than the standard model on which it’s based.

Furthermore, any Mercedes, even a fairly run-of-the-mill C-Class saloon has sufficient power with a fairly mundane engine, one which will also offer more practical running costs day-to-day.

Top: Standard equipment includes night vision, massaging seats which ‘knead’ the driver to prevent a fatigued bottom...

200s

Above: V12 power is superb, but we think ‘lesser’ engines provide a better day-to-day compromise between performance and economy.

The S-Class, and convertibles, too, are designed to waft, not race. Any S-Class convertible will offer good performance, so we’re not sure what use the extra power in either the S63 or S65 AMG version is. We’d also question the wisdom of choosing a

convertible model when either the saloon or coupé offers such good sound insulation and such a cosseting environment.

Our climate isn’t exactly conducive to wind-in-the-hair motoring, but if you’re strongly convinced of the merits of roofless motoring, and want a car that’s rapid, we’ll recommend the more modest versions of the S-Class convertible.

Even in V6 or V8 form, the S-Class convertible will still prove to be smooth, rapid and quiet, preferable to the Aston, Ferrari and Bentley you could also choose.

If you’re not sure about soft-top motoring, though, we’d point you in the direction of the more practical coupé, instead, and choose that in non-AMG form, using the cash you’ll save to specify a few options.

THE TOP

If you’re in the £200,000+ motoring world, these are our recommended options...

R/Royce Ghost £217,000

A V12 engine, peerless performance. This icon of British engineering is BMW-owned but remains Goodwood in spirit.

Mercedes G63 £370,000 You’d have to be a lunatic, but this four tonne 6x6 (4x4 is so passé) won’t get stuck down the county’s backroads...

McLaren 650S £215,000 A highly desirable and unusual convertible model with two seats hewn from the firm’s F1 achievements.

Eagle E-Type £200,000

Enjoy open top motoring in a re-manufactured Jaguar E-Type?

Halcyon motoring with modern mechanicals courtesy of Eagle.

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Crosswords CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Test your lateral thinking skills with this month’s Cryptic Crossword. Each puzzle has a set of perplexing clues to unravel, and as every lover of logic knows, the frustration is all part of the fun!

ACROSS

1. Dancing fan not in time for jazzed up programmes (12) 8. Eat nuts after wasted meal (4,3) 9. Warning about shaking a lot (7) 11. Author dashed off a part (7) 12. Two swimmers, the first perceived in sound barrier (7) 13. Mark requiring second kiss (5) 14. Current slump needs correcting: Number 10 is fronting push (9) 16. With spin, one’s taken in by Cameron? I see what you mean (3-6) 19. It’s hot filling tea cups etc (5) 21. Emphatic confession of one telling stories about sun worship (7) 23. Conveyance from one endlessly gracious in The Faerie Queene (7) 24. Like ugly little chap? Snog him excitably (7) 25. Make out sporting contest in Ascot? (7) 26 French correspondent is a Pulitzer Prize winner (6,6)

DOWN

1. Inexperienced girl’s not faking it in going on top (7) 2. Thoroughly disheartened evangelist interrupting churchgoers for a bit of a nag (7) 3. Steady current’s drawn tide away (5,4) 4. Conclude there’s no leaving hell (5) 5. Dealing with army officer, vocally (7) 6. Stuffing for tuna utilised for molluscs (7) 7. Sort out getting involved in attacking way traders make money (5,7) 10. Source of grievance in Greece and Spain: crippling German bills (5,7) 15. Pity? It’s lacking, whence Dracula’s destructive urge (9) 17. U2 fans are so unrewarded (3,4) 18. Character eating is oppressed by burning fondness for the cream (7) 19. It’s coming to a point where a Liberal is propping up right-winger in charge (7) 20. Troublemaker, one using trendy quotations? (7) 22. Fellow in Macbeth, say, ending on high (5)

1. Widow with title or property from her husband (7) 8. Book of the Old Testament (7) 9. Thrust (7) 10. Self-important person (7) 11. Occur as a result (of) (5) 13. Reserved (9) 15. Shoot a pet (anag) – healer (9) 18. Incident (5) 21. District under a bishop’s jurisdiction (7) 22. In fashion (French) (1,2,4) 23. Burdensome (7) 24. Mountain named after a British surveyor general of India (7)

DOWN

1. Thrust (5) 2. Rubs clean (5) 3. Do something very thoroughly (2,3,5,3) 4. Begrudge (6) 5. Morally or socially intolerable (6,3,4) 6. Lowest possible amounts (6) 7. Creator of Noddy (6) 12. Loch in the Great Glen (4) 14. At which time (4) 15. More likely than not (4-2) 16. Not enough (3,3) 17. Relaxed (2,4) 19. Conjure up (5) 20. Pay for – minister to – deal with (5)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

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ACROSS

1 - Lincs Pride MARCH 164.qxp 01/02/2016 12:30 Page 163

1 - Lincs Pride MARCH 164.qxp 01/02/2016 12:30 Page 164